News Taffy

By Lisa Turner

Warren High School star wide receiver Jalen Cobb has a message for Arkansas State University's new head football Coach Gus Malzahn: Call me.

Cobb is an explosive 6-foot-1,190-pound wide receiver and four-star recruit, ranked the best in the state and No. 43 in the nation. He was the first commit for the Arkansas Razorbacks recruiting class of 2012, committing in February 2011, and it was assumed the Hogs had sewn up their next homegrown star. Problems with SEC academic qualifying arose last month and Cobb withdrew his commitment from UA saying he would go to Coffeyville, Kan., to junior college for a year and be a Razorback in 2013.

Sunday, he didn't sound so sure.

"I'm trying to keep my eyes wide open and look at all my options," Cobb said, when asked if he planned to recommit to the Hogs before national signing day on Feb. 1. "I haven't talked to anybody from Arkansas State (since the decommittment), and I don't know if I even still have a (scholarship) offer there. If they want to call me, I'll listen. I'll definitely listen."

Cobb said even before the success Arkansas State had this year, he was considering the Red Wolves because the campus is only three hours north of Warren.

"I was there when I was a freshman for a 7-on-7 camp and I liked the facilities and the campus and how everything was close," he said. "Fayetteville, I love Fayetteville, but it's huge."

When Cobb committed to the Razorbacks, Gus Malzahn was the offensive coordinator at Auburn. Now, Malzahn, who is regarded as a football genius in his home state of Arkansas, is heading up a Red Wolves program coming off a 10-3 year and an undefeated Sun Belt Conference championship run.

Malzahn's offensive coordinator is Rhett Lashlee, the former star quarterback Malzahn coached to Arkansas high school championships little more than 10 years ago using the hurry-up, no huddle Malzahn has made famous. Former Auburn receiver and Arkansas native Kodi Burns, who won a national championship at Auburn with Malzahn, was just added as a GA. Malzahn and company are poised to unleash an offensive attack never before seen in the Sun Belt Conference and the stars aligning for Arkansas State are not going unnoticed by Cobb.

"I think Coach Malzahn and Coach Lashlee and (Burns) could really help me to understand my game," Cobb said. "They're people who know my position. As it stands now, I'm going to Coffeyville for two semesters and then to Fayetteville – unless I hear something from Arkansas State."

College football recruiting guru Tom Lemming rates Cobb in the nation's Top 100 and says he's the 15th best athlete in the country. Cobb is rated as the 43rd best prospect in the country by ESPN.