Interview: Underclassmen Talents like LaDarius Bishop Forcing Power Five Schools to Arkansas

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Natural State has long produced top high school talent who have gone on to mark their mark in the college ranks before playing in the NFL. A quick easy list includes guys like Cortez Kennedy, Keith Jackson, Ray Brown, Dennis Winston, Rod Smith, Willie Roaf, Billy Smith, Wayne Martin, Darren McFadden, Keith Traylor, Dan Hampton, DeAngelo Williams, and Leslie O’Neal, among many others, who have worked their way from the Arkansas high school gridiron to a collegiate roster before realizing their childhood dream.

Yet, year after year guys like Kenneth Dixon slip through the proverbial cracks from Power Five Conference recruiters. Could Arkansas talent being bypassed soon be a thing of the past?

Dixon was an amazing high school tailback for Strong earning “Mr. Football” honors after running for 3,153 yards with 39 touchdowns in 2011. The 5’10”, 215 pound, scoring machine kept his mojo flowing with the Louisiana Tech setting a NCAA single-season freshman rushing record with 28 touchdowns while picking up 1,194 yards on the ground. By the end of his career, Dixon had rushed for 4,483 yards with 72 touchdowns and pulled in 87 passes for 969 yards with 15 more scores temporarily holding the NCAA record for most combined touchdowns from the line of scrimmage.

Talents like Dixon, from a small town with less than 1,000 people, who go on to do great things help point a spotlight on current Arkansas talent. Guys like Ashdown’s LaDarius Bishop keep that spotlight shinning bright drawing top colleges from all around.

Bishop is poised to have a breakout junior season for Ashdown. Despite limited action during his sophomore year playing behind upperclassmen, the 6-0, 187 pound, speedster was able to make enough noise when given the opportunity carrying the ball 14 times for 98 yards while pulling down six passes for 70 more yards with a touchdown. He also got time in at cornerback coming up with 11 tackles in nine games.

The stats do not paint a Dixon-esq Hollywood story but the early offers on the table from Baylor, Louisiana-Monroe, and Oklahoma State do.

The Class of 2018 rising star is expected to get his fair share of playing time in 2016 penciled in as a starter at wide receiver and cornerback for a Panthers team expected to contend for a state title. With the wealth of talent on Ashdown’s roster and the promise of being able to extend play into the postseason, look for Bishop to lay down some serious numbers this year.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Bishop for a quick one-on-one interview covering his off-season workouts, expectations for his junior year, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

LaDarius, you are getting a lot of looks at both corner and wide receiver. Which position do you like best?

“Cornerback.”

What do you like about playing corner that gets you excited?

“I just like playing defense and I like playing with my cousin, Montaric Brown (Arkansas 2017 commit). I love to hit people too.”

That’s a true defensive player talking there. What do you like about playing wide receiver?

“Running routes and catching the ball.”

Your passion comes through when you talk about playing corner.

(Laughs)

What are some of the things you do well on the field as a corner?

“My technique and coming up to stop the run. My coverage and my man defense are strengths too.”

What have you been working on this off-season in preparation for your junior year?

“I’ve been working on my technique, hips, and keeping my eyes on the ball.”

Have you ran a 40-yard dash this summer?

“I ran one at Nike Dallas Opening. I ran a laser timed 4.56.”

That’s a great laser time for a sophomore.

“Thank you.”

Have you maxed out on any of your lifts this summer?

“Yes sir. My bench was 255 and my squat was 365 the last time I maxed out.”

Nice. You’ve put all of this work into your off-season, what personal goals have you set for 2016?

“My defensive goals are to have six picks and take three to the house. Another goal is to not let anyone catch the ball when I’m holding them on defense.”

Where all on the field will we see you this year and how will your role change on the team?

“I’m starting at corner and wide receiver. I should have a bigger impact on offense this year. On special teams I will be on kick return but I do not know about punt return yet.”

Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“I went to a Clint Stoerner quarterback camp with Jaden (Hill – Ashdown’s starting Class of 2018 quarterback).”

Was that a good camp for you getting the opportunity to catch passes from different quarterbacks from around the region?

“Yes sir. It was a good camp. I learned a lot about being a receiver when I was there.”

What all did you learn that you will use this season?

“I learned how to run my routes better and I learned different types of ways to run my routes.”

Which quarterback was the best one there?

“Other than Jaden, Taylor Powell (Fayetteville – Class of 2017 commit to Wake Forest) was the best. He is a really good quarterback.”

 

You’re already receiving a lot of interest from college teams. Which schools are showing the most interest right now?

“Baylor, Oklahoma State, ULM (Louisiana-Monroe), Arkansas and I have received mail from Oregon, Notre Dame, and Alabama.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have three offers from Baylor, Oklahoma State, and ULM.”

You just visited Oklahoma State, right?

“Yes sir. I went to OSU last Tuesday.”

How did that visit go for you?

“It was great. We went around the campus and went around all the football facilities. We did a photo shoot. After that Coach (Tim) Duffie sat me down and talked to me about playing time.”

What did Coach Duffie say to you about playing time with the Cowboys?

“He said ‘it will be a competition for playing time up there’ and that ‘I have to work my tail off to get a starting position up there’.”

Do you have any visits planned?

“I’m going to ULM on Friday and then I am going to Missouri sometime in August.”

You mentioned Arkansas is showing interest in you. Where is everything at with the Hogs?

“They are going to come to some of our games, if it goes well they’ll offer.”

When you’ve talked to the various colleges, what are they telling you they like about your skill set?

“They like my technique, size, and my speed.”

You mentioned your speed again, did you play any other sports for Ashdown during your sophomore year?

“Yes sir. I ran track.”

Which events?

“The 100, 200, 4×1, and long jump.”

Which event is your best?

“The 200.”

What is your personal best in the 200?

“I ran a 22-something this year.”

Which games on Ashdown’s schedule are you getting excited to play this year?

“I’m really looking forward to playing PA (Pulaski Academy) and Nashville.”

What is it about those two schools that already has you pumped?

“Nashville is a rivalry game for us. PA, they are a good team to compete against. They have a lot of athletes just like we do. I want to see how well I play against both teams.”

LaDarius, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Bishop family; LaDarius Bishop at LSU.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; LaDarius Bishop competing at the Nike Dallas Opening.