THE RECRUITING GUY : Athletes turn heads with their combine performances
Posted on Friday, March 7, 2008
Rogers’ Michael Tibbs and White Hall’s Garet Philbrook helped their stock over the weekend with impressive performances Saturday at the Southern Regional Combine in Springdale. Tibbs, who played running back and some quarterback last year, turned in the day’s best pro-shuttle time of 4. 12 seconds. The shuttle run evaluates quickness and an athlete’s ability to change directions. Tibbs, 6-0, 190 pounds, also recorded a 4. 66 laser-timed 40-yard dash, a 32-inch vertical leap, a power ball toss of 35. 7 feet and bench pressed 185 pounds 20 times. While Tibbs’ 40-yard dash time isn’t exceptionally fast, one should consider laser times are approximately two-tenths of a second slower than hand-held times.
“I thought I did real well,” Tibbs said. “I exceeded all my expectations. I set some goals before the combine, and I beat every single one of them.”
Tibbs’ athletic ability was noticeable last summer when he won the intermediate boys decathlon at the Junior Olympics in Knoxville, Tenn. He hopes to play football and run track in college.
Tibbs had approximately 650 yards rushing and more than 200 yards receiving last season, even though he was limited to only seven games because of a high ankle sprain.
“I had an OK season,” Tibbs said. “My expectations were a little higher. I wanted to go over 1, 000 yards rushing.”
Tibbs said he’s received recruiting interest in football from Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Arizona State and Missouri. He’s also received interest from many top track and field programs.
Rogers Coach Ronnie Peacock has high hopes for Tibbs next season.
“He’s an outstanding athlete,” Peacock said. “He’s going to be a big-time player for us. He’s got good size, good speed and good strength. I expect a lot out of him next year.”
Peacock said he plans to work with Tibbs to improve his passing so he can be more effective in the Mountie Moonshine formation, Rogers’ version of the WildHog offense.
Philbrook is an interesting prospect after he was homeschooled during his sophomore year and didn’t play high school football until last year. He played mostly on special teams while being stuck behind three senior linebackers.
Philbrook, 6-0, 192, tied for the fastest 40-yard dash with a 4. 54. He bench pressed 185 pounds 22 times, had a vertical leap of 32 inches, threw the power ball 32. 1 feet and recorded a 4. 57 pro shuttle time.
Philbrook said Saturday was the first time he had run the pro shuttle, and he was hampered in the drill because he wasn’t wearing the appropriate shoes and had problems slipping.
White Hall Coach Mike Vaughn said there is little doubt about Philbrook’s athletic ability.
“Garet’s an exceptional athlete,” Vaughn said. “He’s just really started to develop the last year or so.... Last year he really played strictly on instinct. He works really hard and has a good work ethic.”
Vaughn said his coaching staff is trying to decide where to play Philbrook next fall. Philbrook said he feels more comfortable at linebacker but wants to do what’s best for the team. “I feel confident at linebacker because last year I learned how to read pass coverage,” Philbrook said. “I’m not sure about offense. I could be a receiver with my size and speed. I could probably play secondary. I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team out.” Philbrook said he hasn’t given college football a lot of thought but thinks it’s something he would like to do. “It’s something I would like to do,” he said. “ I do enjoy football a lot, and I’ll see how this year goes and I’m going to put everything I have into it. Tibbs and Philbrook also plan to participate at the FCA combine March 15 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
ODDS & ENDS Ole Miss has requested highlight tapes of White Hall offensive tackles Brett Craine and Nick Partridge. Craine, 6-5, 282, recorded a 5. 25 laser-timed 40-yard dash and bench pressed 185 pounds 19 times at the Southern Regional Combine, while Partridge, 6-1 3 / 4, 293, was timed at 5. 42 and bench pressed 185 pounds 24 times. Pulaski Academy wide receiver Neal Barlow received a scholarship offer from Arkansas on Wednesday. Barlow, 6-6, 202, 4. 6, had 81 catches for 1, 164 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. He also has an offer from Tulsa, and Ohio State is showing strong interest. Cornerback Darius Winston of West Helena, who orally committed to Arkansas in early February, picked up two more scholarship offers this week, bringing his total to 10. Auburn and Miami offered this week.
E-mail Richard Davenport at: rdavenport@arkansasonline. com
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