Antovian Gaines has very good performance at Arkansas’ camp

FAYETTEVILLE — Searcy Class of 2028 running back Antovian Gaines was at Arkansas’ football camp on Saturday.

Gaines, 5-10, 185, rushed for 743 yards and 11 touchdowns on the Searcy freshman team in 2024. This season, Gaines moves up to the varsity. He has been attending football camps including the one at Arkansas on Saturday.

“I just want to learn about the Arkansas culture and connect with the coaching staff,” Gaines said. “Just being a kid from Arkansas you want to be a Hog growing up. During the recruiting process you want to explore your opporunities best you can, but Arkansas is a good team I want to play for in the future for sure.”

Gaines also was impressed with the facilities. Due to the lightning and bad weather in the area on Saturday the entire camp was held inside the Walker Pavilion.

“I love it,” Gaines said. “It’s nice, big and SEC. The equipment and weights they have.”

Gaines talked about why else he chose to camp with the Razorbacks and credited Arkansas’ outstanding offensive line coach Eric Mateos for making it an easy decision.

“Coach Mateos sent me an invite,” Gaines said. “I have been looking at the Hogs since I was a little kid so this was just a blessed opportunity from a coach inviting me to camp and seeing me in person. My goal is to just showcase my talents and get good feedback from the coaches.”

Gaines talked about his strengths on the field and what he does well.

“I have great vision for a young running back,” Gaines said. “I feel like I read the holes real well.”

Gaines has also camped at Texas A&M, SMU and Memphis. As far as the Razorbacks, what would an offer mean to you?

“It would mean a lot,” Gaines said. “Just being from Arkansas and watching the Hogs play since I was young. So an offer from this school would mean a lot.”

Gaines feels the outlook for him to have a good sophomore season is good.

“One of our running backs transferred last year, but we did switch a tight end to running back,” Gaines said. “So it’s looking like me and him for varsity running back next year.”

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