The national leader in 4 categories in his HS career takes his show to Fayetteville as a walk-on. Here's a little more aobut former Shiloh QB Rhett Lashlee.

Shiloh’s Rhett Lashlee ready to fulfill dream of being a Razorback
BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON Northwest Arkansas Times

National record-setting Shiloh Christian quarterback Rhett Lashlee could very well have been showing up for practice this weekend as a scholarship quarterback at either the University of Tulsa or Middle Tennessee State University.

Instead, he showed up Sunday as a walk-on — at least for this year — at the University of Arkansas, who officially welcomed all of its newcomers to campus this afternoon. "I could have gone on a scholarship to at least two very nice schools, but I have lived here in Arkansas all my life, I love the program and I want to give it a shot," Lashlee said. "This is what I wanted to do and I’m looking forward to the challenge."

The 6-3, 205-pound Lashlee certainly made an impact on the high school level, setting four national records prep records for most points (1,164). most yards passing in a game (672), most passing TDs for a career (171) and most passes in a game (71) according to NFLHS. com.

That’s more than passhappy names such as Tim Couch and Chris Simms accomplished in their prep days.

He also led the Saints to two state titles in three years, overcoming three dislocations of one of of his shoulders to do so last season, and had all this production while playing in only 102 out of a possible 180 quarters because of blowouts.

That, of course, means nothing beginning when Arkansas’ newcomers open two-a-day practices at 9 a.m. this morning. "I do think that working with (former Shiloh and current Springdale head) Coach (Gus) Malzahn and (current Shiloh Christian head) Coach (Chris) Wood has given me a good foundation and I have a lot more understanding of the game and reading defenses than most people," Lashlee said. "But I know that is nothing like it is going to be in the SEC."

Being in the SEC and playing for Arkansas instead of playing for so called "money-game teams" such as Tulsa and Middle Tennesee State played a big part in Lashlee’s decision. "Tulsa and MTSU are upand-coming programs that will play some of the top teams, but right now, those are their money games," Lashlee told one recruiting service. "I don’t want to play in money games; I want to win.

" I wanted to play bigtime college football, and I love the fact that I get to do it in my home state, "Lashlee continued." I’ve been blessed to start three years of high school football, and now I’m looking forward to a different and bigger challenge with a higher level of competition. "

" It boiled down to the fact that I was willing to take a chance in order to play a higher level of competition. I’ve played at a lower level in high school, and I know what it’s like to only play four or five tough games a year. "

It will be a year at least before Lashlee steps into action on a game field donning a Razorback uniform due to shoulder surgery he had just over six months ago and the wealth of young quarterbacks Arkansas already has on hand.

" I think the other schools were looking for me to play a lot earlier and play a lot, "Lashlee said." Normally that would be something that would be great, but I knew that at Arkansas I would get time for it to heal and wouldn’t have as much pressure because we have a lot of good quarterbacks here already. "

Lashlee had tried to put off the shoulder surgery, but suffered a fourth dislocation during the basketball season and went ahead and had the work done on Feb. 8 th.

" Some cartilage was a little loose, so I had some work done on it, but the rotator cuff was still good and no tendons are damaged, "Lashlee said.

While the shoulder feels as good as new, Lashlee is certainly not 100 percent.

" My shoulder doesn’t hurt and I would say that my range of motion, which was something we were worried about, is back, "Lashlee said." But I would say I’ve only got about 50 percent of my throwing strength back and that will come with time. "

Another reason made the non-scholarship leap of faith was because of his belief in the character of Razorback head coach Houston Nutt and UA quarterbacks coach David Lee.

" I know that we have a lot of good quarterbacks here and it makes sense to continue to recruit them, at least once a year, "Lashlee said." But Coach Nutt and Coach Lee, who I know are very honest men, said I would be given my shot if I just come in and work hard and that’s all I needed to hear. "

Lashlee, who has been timed at 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, will participate in drills today and do as much as he can.

" I’ll guess we will get out there and see how it goes, "Lashlee said." I am really looking forward to it. "