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Kicker's goal to put best foot forward early in college
BY OTIS KIRK -ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
FAYETTEVILLE -- Spring (Texas) Westfield's David Dyckes hopes to get a kick out of his visit to Arkansas for the Seniors Camp on July 19-20.
Dyckes, 6-1, 185, is a place-kicker who has been offered football scholarships by Arkansas, Michigan, Ohio State, Tulane and Iowa State and is attracting serious interest from Texas. Arkansas assistant David Lee is recruiting Dyckes.
"When Coach Lee called me, I liked him a lot," Dyckes said. "He seemed very down-to-earth. He cares about his players and he seemed very interested in listening to what I had to say."
Dyckes made 11 of 16 field goals and 42 of 45 extra points as a junior. In addition, 27 of Dyckes' kickoffs went for touchbacks.
"My senior year I will also punt," Dyckes said. "My strongest points are my kickoffs and field goals, and that's what I will likely do in college."
Dyckes' longest field goal is 47 yards, but he has kicked 60-yard field goals in practice and at camps. This weekend, Dyckes is at the Lone Star Kicking Challenge at Baylor.
Dyckes is looking for a school where he will have a chance to participate as a freshman and said he thinks Arkansas might be that place.
"I like the country," Dyckes said. "I love to fish, and I know I could do that at Arkansas. In addition, Coach Lee told me you get all four seasons in Arkansas. It's only snowed here in Houston two times in my life. I have family in Ohio, and I love the snow."
Dyckes said Arkansas, Ohio State and Michigan are his favorites, but he's keeping his options open.
"Texas has told me they will offer me if their kicker doesn't do a good job this season," Dyckes said. "The schools that have offered me are my favorites as of right now, though."
Dyckes attends the same school that will send offensive tackle Tony Ugoh to Arkansas this fall and is home of defensive back Cory Campbell, 6-3, 190, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
THE FINAL FOUR Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview offensive lineman Brandon Pilgrim, 6-5 1/2, 280, 5.1, has narrowed his decision to four schools, with the Razorbacks still in the hunt.
Pilgrim is one of three offensive linemen at his school who are being heavily recruited by the major colleges. Pilgrim is considering Georgia, Clemson, Arkansas and Virginia and has offers from all four.
"I'm looking for a school that has good academics," Pilgrim said. "That will play a big role in my decision.
"I'm also interested in the football tradition at each school I'm considering, plus I want to go where they have good coaches."
Pilgrim likes the home-state Bulldogs but isn't locked into going to an in-state school.
"I'm pretty much open to going out of state," Pilgrim said. "Clemson is only about two hours from my home."
Pilgrim said he had a good conversation with Arkansas assistant Mike Markuson, who coaches the offensive line for the Razorbacks, in the spring.
"I know the Arkansas coaches are good guys," Pilgrim said. "They've always got a good football program.
"Coach Markuson seems like a nice guy. I don't know much about Arkansas' academics, but I plan to take a visit. Coach Markuson talked about the school when he called me, and now I'm interested."
While several athletes base their decision on early playing time, Pilgrim doesn't feel that's a real important factor.
"Playing early won't play a big part in my decision," Pilgrim said. "Academics, tradition and coaching are more important to me than playing as a freshman."
Arkansas is also recruiting Parkview offensive linemen David Overmyer, 6-5, 270, 5.2, and Zeb McKinzey, 6-3, 280, 5.2.
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