Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Greenwood (Ind.) Community High School offensive lineman Nick Rice was among both the biggest and best campers at the University of Arkansas Junior-Senior Prospect Camp last Saturday.

Rice (6-foot-7, 325 pounds, 5.6 in the 40-yard dash) attended the Troy-Arkansas game last fall in Razorback Stadium and liked it well enough to return Saturday.

“They're definitely nice facilities and better than where I've been before,” Rice said. “I have been to IU [Indiana University] and there's no comparison. I came down to a game last year and the stadium was very impressive.”

Rice said he's hoping to have a strong senior season and attract the type interest he wants from the major colleges across the nation, including Arkansas.

“We went 3-8 last year and I made all-county,” Rice said. “Still, it wasn't very satisfying. Hopefully, it will be better this year. Last year we struggled with the new system they were putting in. This year we have some faster kids, so hopefully we'll be a bit better.”

Rice has the size to play at any school in America but now must show the recruiters the talent to match the bulk.

“I have good feet and I'm very strong and stout,” Rice said. “I have good size and [am] very hard to move out of the way for any defensive lineman.”

Rice said at this time his favorite schools are Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Indiana and Western Kentucky. Rice said a few factors will go into his decision-making as far as a choosing a college.

“I'm looking for a place where I can win, have good experiences and get a great education,” Rice said.

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One of the top juniors in Arkansas this fall is expected to be Jonesboro athlete Zac Brooks (6-2, 180, 4.47), who was good enough to get a scholarship offer from the Razorbacks during his sophomore season.

Brooks, who was one of the elite juniors attending Arkansas’ camp on Saturday, can play at the next level at running back, wide receiver or in the secondary. As a sophomore, Brooks caught 38 passes for 679 yards and 5 touchdowns.