Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

1. Hunter Henry, TE, 6-6, 235, Pulaski Academy

Henry is viewed as a complete tight end because of his outstanding hands, willingness to play physically and ability to block. Though he is also a standout on the defensive line, Henry has a future at tight end. Rated a 4-star recruit by 247Sports who gives him a 94 rating, Henry is the No. 111 player in nation regardless of position and No. 5 tight end in nation. Recently Henry narrowed his decision down to Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

Henry, who caught 64 passes for 1,091 yards and 16 touchdowns, chose his final six from a list of colleges that included Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina and Purdue as well as many others offered. Henry’s father, Mark Henry, was a four-year letterman at Arkansas as an offensive lineman. Henry helped lead the Bruins to an undefeated, state championship season in 2011. His combination of character, talent, speed, academics and leadership skills at times make him look like a man among boys in his classification and already Henry is considered among the best tight ends prospect to ever come out of Arkansas.

Tim Horton is recruiting him hard for the Razorbacks. Has the talent to play immediately in college if he gets in the right program that fits his skills. Will attempt to lead the Bruins to another state title this season.

2. Altee Tenpenny, RB, 5-11, 200, North Little Rock

A very talented running back, Tenpenny suffered a broken ankle last year prior to the season and missed his entire junior campaign. Rated by 247Sports as a 4-star recruit with a rating of 96, Henry is regarded as the No. 30 player in the country regardless of position and the fourth-ranked running back. Verbally committed to Alabama on Jan. 28 and recently attended a camp in Tuscaloosa. Despite the commitment to the Crimson Tide, Tenpenny plans to take some other visits. He is looking at Oklahoma and Arkansas among others. He attended a football practice in Fayetteville last spring and spent the entire practice talking to and hanging out with Arkansas running back Knile Davis. Tenpenny also holds offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt.

In May, he attended the FCA Combine in North Little Rock and turned in a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and was disappointed with his performance. Also went to Memphis to a combine and performed well there. When healthy, Tenpenny has virtually everything the colleges are looking for in a running back. He has blazing speed and can cut on a dime. Tenpenny plays for one of the best programs in central Arkansas and colleges will be interested to see what kind of stats he can put up if he’s healthy for an entire season. Tenpenny ran for 1,121 yards and 15 touchdowns on 147 carries as a sophomore.

Tim Horton is recruiting him for the Razorbacks and will attempt to use the same strategy he used to flip former CAC great Joe Adams from USC at the last minute.

3. Austin Allen, QB, 6-2, 217, Fayetteville

Obviously has the bloodline to be very successful in college and possibly beyond. His father, Bobby, coaches the cornerbacks at Arkansas and his older brother, Brandon, redshirted for the Razorbacks last year as a true freshman at quarterback. Allen committed to Arkansas on May 21, but not before he had collected a long list of scholarship offers from schools including Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas State, Memphis, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, South Florida, Tennessee, Tulsa and Vanderbilt.

Allen helped lead Fayetteville to a state championship last year in Arkansas’ largest classification. In the 29-28 win over Bentonville, Allen passed for 376 yards and four touchdowns, plus a two-point conversion that clinched the title. Allen is rated a 4-star by 247Sports with a rating of 90. They view him as the No. 16 pro-style quarterbacks in the nation. Turned in a very good showing at the EAE Combine in Bentonville in February where he was one of the top prospects in attendance. Didn’t disappoint anyone as he made all the throws necessary for a quarterback of his stature to make.

Allen is regarded as a very intelligent quarterback, which helped last season has he set school records with 4,366 yards and 52 touchdowns.