Harmony Grove Arkansas WR Cameron Venzant Discusses Top 3 Previewing UA Monticello Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Catching the attention of college coaches as a high school senior can be really tough. The task seemed even tougher for Harmony Grove High School two-way player Cameron Venzant, but he did it. The Hornets were 3-8 in 2014 so many coaches did not see his 863 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns scored. Not aiding in his quest to continue onto the next level, the Camden, Arkansas, school is in Class 3A giving colleges another reason to dismiss his talents because of the lower classification.

Venzant has another potential knock against him from the college level, he is 5’9”, now 190 pounds. The thought for the prototypical sized wide receiver is at least 6’0”-6’2”, 190, and runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. Anyone below that size has glazed over the recruiting process for lazy coaches. Venzant is a legitimate speed burner able to fill multiple roles at the next level, if given the opportunity.

Despite all of the recruiting obstacles placed in front of him, Venzant is on the verge of continuing his playing career. Throughout his senior season interest started coming in from Ouachita Baptist, University of Arkansas Monticello, Central Arkansas, Robert Morris, Arkansas, and Louisiana Tech. The Class of 2016 talent has narrowed down is final programs ahead of his visit to UAM.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Cam just ahead of his visit to Arkansas-Monticello to find out where he is at in his recruiting process and an update on his senior season.

Interview

Cam, the stats I have for your senior season are incomplete but through seven games I have you with 21 receptions, 273 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. That is obviously incorrect for the 2015 season. Do you know your stat line?

“No. I don’t. I do know I had nine total touchdowns.”

If you will, give the readers an overview on how your senior season went for you personally.

“It was the best year I have had. My 10th grade year I did not get to play that much because we had a bunch of people ahead of us. In 11th grade we did not throw that much. During my senior year, teams were focusing in on me more. We went 8-3, but we lost to teams that were ranked in the Top 5 in each of their classifications. I think we had a good season as a team. I had a good year. It could have been better, I blame that on me.”

What were some of the skills that you improved upon from your junior year to your senior campaign?

“I put in more work during the offseason. From my 10th grade year to my 11th grade year, I did not workout that much to prepare for football. After my 11th grade year I skipped basketball to focus on football. I worked out with my cousin Byron Keaton, he plays for the Hogs, before he took off for spring ball. He helped me get better in the offseason.

“One of the things I improved upon was catching the ball. My 11th grade year I had too many drops. About every two or three games I’d have a drop. My route running got a lot better after I went to the Rivals camp over the summer. I also became more confident in myself as a player.”

You garnered a lot of interest during your senior year. Which schools have showed interest in you over this time?

“OBU (Ouachita Baptist), I went there on a couple of visits, UAM (Arkansas-Monticello), and UCA (Central Arkansas), I went to their spring game and unofficial for a game. Louisiana Tech asked me to come down on a visit for an unofficial and I went on an unofficial at Arkansas. I got an offer from Robert Morris at the start of basketball season.”

You have a visit coming up with UAM right?

“I go to UAM tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 28).”

When you visit UAM, what are some of the things you are looking to learn or see while you are there?

“I’m looking at the coaching staff. I want to see how they feel the program will progress. They won one game last year, I want to see their plans for the future. Their coaching staff is cool but I never really got to talk to them when I went there on my other visit (November).”

Has the UAM staff offered you yet?

“No, but I hope they offer tomorrow. I was asked to go up there for a visit to get more alone time with the coaches.”

You visited UCA during the season. How did that trip go for you?

“It was amazing. I liked that trip a lot. They showed us around the campus, took us in the offices, in the weight room, and through the locker room. I did not talk to the coaches too much then, it was a game day. Coach (Steve) Campbell (head coach) said they’d love to have me. They offered me a preferred walk-on spot three weeks ago.”

You have a full-ride offer from Robert Morris, where is everything with Robert Morris?

“They’ve called to talk to me. They have talked a lot about the school but I have not taken a visit up there yet. I have not had time with school and basketball. They did offer me. They email me keeping in touch.”

What are they telling you to try to lure you to commit to them?

“They tell me I could help them win a championship there. We’ll see what all happens by Feb. 3.”

Okay, Cam, you are off the recruiting hook. Are you back in basketball this season?

“Yes.”

How is the season going for you thus far?

“We are not a basketball school.”

(Laughing) Okay. Are you doing well at least?

“I started at the beginning of the season but now I am coming off the bench, so I’d say no, I’m not doing that great.”

Cam, as always, I appreciate your honesty. The best of luck tomorrow on your trip to UAM.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Venzant family; Cam at Arkansas.

Photo credit: Venzant family; Cam at UCA.