College Camp Circuit Interview with 3-Star 2019 Arkansas LB Darin Davenport
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After a 64-tackle sophomore season in 2016 and missed time during his junior campaign due to a knee injury, everyone, including Darin Davenport, is ready to see the Fort Smith Southside linebacker back on the field. College coaches throughout the region have an eye on the 6-2, 222-pound, active defender. Programs like area titans Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Louisiana Tech, and Arkansas State, among others, are all showing various forms of interest in the Natural State talent. In an update RNG interview, I sat down with the three-star 2019 recruit to find out about his offseason workouts, college camp circuit, and recruiting process.
*Click link for April 23, 2018, RNG interview with Darin Davenport
Interview
Darin, how are your offseason workouts going?
“They are going great. I am working on getting stronger and faster. I am working on my cuts with my knees; getting used to it again.”
Which parts of your game are you focused on improving?
“I am working on my covering a lot. With our new DC, we have a new defense and new pass coverage scheme. I am learning the holes and where to fit for our pass coverages.”
Where are you seeing the biggest growth in your skillset?
“I am seeing the biggest growth in my speed – my 40, and my strength has gotten a lot better. My 40 went down .2 seconds from a 4.8 to a 4.6; that was a big jump. I am more powerful with my legs now.”
How did spring practices with the Mavericks go?
“Our defense has gotten a lot better this spring. Our offense has improved a lot as well. We are looking great at receiver and on the offensive line, everything is looking great.”
Did any college coaches come by Southside to meet with you in-person this spring or to watch you practice?
“Yeah, several schools came by: Air Force, Texas State, Navy, Arkansas, Tulsa, Ouachita Baptist, Arkansas State, Memphis, Louisiana-Monroe, and Louisiana Tech. I believe there were more but I can’t remember them all.”
What are the college coaches telling you they like about your abilities?
“They like how I run to the ball and fit holes. They want to see more film on me. They also like how I lead the team.”
Which camps have you attended this offseason?
“I have attended camps at Tulsa, Arkansas Tech, Arkansas, a Natural State satellite camp, and an Oklahoma State camp.”
How did the Arkansas camp go?
“That was great. I got to talk to Coach John Chavis (defensive coordinator). He wants to stay in contact with me. He said he might come to our first game this season.”
That’s exciting. How did the Oklahoma State camp go?
“That went well. I talked to their linebacker coach, they run a 4-2-5, and they already have their linebacker commit for the 2019 class. He did say he likes how well I move around, he wants me to walk-on so I can play for them.”
Nice. Do you have any other upcoming camps scheduled?
“I am going to an Arkansas State camp on Friday.”
How did the year end up in the classroom?
“My cumulative GPA is a 4.03.”
Nice. What is your score on the ACT and/or the SAT?
“I got a 25 on the ACT.”
Back to football. When does the team meet back up to officially start fall ball?
“We meet after our dead period, we start back up in the second week of July. In August, we put on the pads and start hammering down.”
Do you have any goals you want to accomplish before fall practices begin?
“I am working on getting stronger and faster. I am leading my team in practice so we can have an even better season in 2018.”
What are you going to do this summer with your downtime for fun?
“I’ll be in the gym a lot, I know that for sure. I don’t know that I’ll be doing much else after that.”
Darin, great catching up with you today. Good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Davenport family; Darin Davenport at Arkansas State