Little Rock RB Damarea Crockett proving he is among the best of the best

When the 2014 season was finished Little Rock Christian running back Damarea Crockett had tallied over 1,600 all-purpose yards with over 1,200 of those coming off handoffs out of the backfield. To go with his stellar all-around season the 5’11”, then 205 pound, Class of 2016 talent was still not widely known. An offer had come in from University of Memphis with Arkansas, Auburn, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, and Louisiana Tech all showing interest.

Now the 5’11”, 211 pound (third party tested), running back can add another achievement to his list of growing accolades, he is currently the all-around Nike SPARQ top performer in the nation!

Over two days of testing in Dallas, Crockett posted a first day high of 124.62. Unsatisfied he came back to post a score of 128.22, just ahead of another Recruiting News Guru regular, Canada Prep Academy wide receiver Nick De Luca (126.51/121.56*). Knowing both, the 40-yard dash times turned in the two competitors must have been running through knee-high grass. Both Damarea and Nick have been timed in the 4.4 range previously.

Some of Crockett’s top scores included a vertical jump of 40.3 inches, a power ball toss of 37 feet, and a shuttle run of 4.0 seconds.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview Mr. Crockett sat down to talk about his top Nike SPARQ score over competitors at the Orlando, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami sectionals, his new scholarship offers, and his plans for the college camp circuit over the summer.

 

Damarea, first, congratulations on your outstanding score at the Dallas Nike SPARQ competition.

“Thanks.”

You attended both camps, how did the two-day event go for you?

“It was awesome. When I got there I was not expecting to have the No. 1 rating both days. Some of the best kids in Texas and around the nation were there. I knew when the competition was over I could compare myself against the rest of the players in the nation. I just had an awesome camp.”

Tell us how you did on both days of the two different camps.

“I posted 124.62 on Saturday and a 128.22 on Sunday. The Saturday camp was at Lamar High School and the Sunday camp was at Dallas Cowboy Stadium.”

Based on your score will you get an invite to The Opening?

“They can’t invite me yet. With the camps they have left 10 people would have to go over my score to bump me out. Right now I have the top score, I should get in.”

What was the reaction from the college recruiters across the nation?

“I had a bunch of coaches telling me congratulations. Right after I did it, the score went viral. A lot of coaches over the next two days reached out.”

Who were some of the coaches that connected with you?

“Oklahoma State running back Coach (Marcus) Arroyo, Arkansas offensive coordinator Coach (Dan) Enos, Colorado State, Boise State, Navy, and Notre Dame all reached out.”

Beyond the coaches reaching out to you to congratulate you, you’ve had a few more offers roll your way. What other offers have you picked up in the offseason?

“Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Boise State, Arizona State, and Vanderbilt have all offered.”

Six more offers, that has to make you happy.

“I am happy and thanking God. The process is picking up. It’s a blessing from God that I’m getting scholarships and my hard work is paying off.”

Do you plan to go to any college camps this summer?

“The only camps that are planned out right now are Memphis, Missouri, Ole Miss, and Arkansas.”

With some of the programs like Arkansas that have not offered yet, do you expect to pick up an offer when you attend their camps?

“It’s all kind of blurry right now. If I go to the camps and perform well I might get an offer when I’m there. If not then hopefully soon after.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for the college camps and the Nike SPARQ competition?

“I’m staying in the weight room trying to get stronger. I train with my trainer everyday except on Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday and Friday I’m working on conditioning and explosiveness.”

 

With seven offers already on the table, a college ready body, and one more year to strut his stuff on the gridiron one can easily assume young Mr. Crockett will double his scholarship offers early into the 2015 season.

As for the possibility of showing off at Nike’s The Opening among all the best players in the nation, so far Damarea has showed the willingness to work hard and off the field. He posted two consistent scores that already grade out ahead of some of the best athletes in the nation. One can assume that Damarea will represent his home state well come June 14 in Eugene, Oregon.

*StudentSports.com lists the scores for Damarea at 123.21 and 124.62. Nick De Luca’s score was list at 121.56. An early score listed for Nick was 126.51.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: 247sports.com; Damarea Crockett at the Dallas Nike SPARQ competition.