Camps at Arkansas start, RB Kiandrea Barker set to shine

FAYETTEVILLE — Beebe Class of 2025 running back Kiandrea Barker is attending Arkansas’ first summer camp with his teammates.

Beebe is among the schools at the team camp. Barker, 5-11, 183, committed to Penn State on April 16, 2023. He will take an official visit to Arkansas this upcoming weekend though. Barker talked prior to the start of Wednesday’s camp about his strengths at running back.

“Everything,” Barker said. “I want to be able to do everything at running back whether it’s catching, blocking or running the ball. I want to be versatile so they can use me whenever and wherever they need me. A four-down back.”

Barker and his teammates are hoping to learn some things at Arkansas’ camp to help them this fall. Barker has a lofty goal for his school.

“State championship,” Barker said. “We’ve got good leaders on the team that will help us win.”

Barker said he likes the facilities at Arkansas and impressed with them. He’s also looking forward to getting coached by Arkansas’ Kolby Smith at the camp.

“He’s a good coach,” Barker said. “I know he coached in the league with the (Miami) Dolphins. I think it would be cool to be coached by him. He knows what it takes to get to the next level. He has been there.”

He has 20 scholarship offers. Whether it’s Penn State, Arkansas or elsewhere he talked about what he’s looking for in a college and will be the deciding factors on where he chooses.

“Whatever feels like home,” Barker said. “My goal is to not stop at college, I want to go to the NFL. So whoever can get me to that next level and make it home that’s the college I want to be at.”

In addition to Arkansas and Penn State, among his offers are Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, SMU, Pittsburgh, TCU, Wisconsin, USC, UNLV and others.