Arkansas pledge planning other visits
ARLINGTON, Texas - Tuesday marked the first day of practices for the 2011 Offense-Defense Bowl and there was quite a bit of talent on display. Particularly impressive is the quality and depth along the defensive lines of both teams.
One of the standouts from the first practice was Prichard (Ala.) Vigor defensive end JaMichael Winston. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound defender committed to Arkansas in October but has not completely closed the door on his recruitment.
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"I'm solid right now," Winston said of his pledge to the Razorbacks. "I have some other official visits scheduled though.
"I'm going to Clemson on (Jan.) 20 and Michigan State on (Jan.) 27. Those two have been recruiting me since the beginning so I just want to go and use my officials to visit them."
Winston says he is particularly fond of the defensive line coach at Clemson.
"I like the fact that they have a great defensive line coach in coach Marion (Hobby)," he said of the Tigers. "He's a former NFL defensive line coach so he knows what it takes to get there."
Michigan State has much the same draw for Winston.
"With Michigan State, they have a great defensive line coach too," he said. "Coach (Ted) Gill, he's a great coach. He's been around and has coached a lot of really good players."
Though Winston maintains he is a solid pledge to Arkansas has says he will not have an ultimate decision made as to his college destination until just before he signs his letter of intent.
"I'm going to make a final decision on who I'm going to sign with on Feb. 1, signing day."
Winston is rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. He is the No. 19 player in the state of Alabama.