'09 TX ATH A.J. Dugat (Houston Verbal)

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Dayton (TX) Dayton High School

Ht: 5-foot-10
Wt: 190 lbs
Forty: 4.5 secs
Class: 2009 (High School)

Scout: '09 Top 100

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Per Scout, Dugan has switched his verbal to Houston. Story coming...

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WholeHogSports.com - THE RECRUITING GUY : Benton's play against Benton boosts Bryant, stock

On Sept. 1, the first day coaches are allowed by the NCAA to call prospects, Arkansas' coaches burned the midnight oil. Dayton, Texas, athlete A. J. Dugat, who's orally committed to Houston, received a call from assistant coach Kirk Botkin at 12: 01 a.m. on Labor Day. Dugat, 6-0, 195, 4. 5, has indicated he might visit Arkansas. He has scholarship offers from Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and others. "He let me know he was interested in me," said Dugat, who reports a 290-pound bench press and 395-pound squat. "He asked if I could make some of the games and asked what I thought about Arkansas. I told him I would have to talk to [Dayton ] Coach [Jerry ] Stewart about making it to one of their games. Coach Stewart is from there. If he goes out there for a game, I may go with Coach Stewart." Stewart is originally from eastern Arkansas and coached at Rivercrest before moving to Texas. He has high praise for Dugat, who plays receiver, quarterback and cornerback.

"I believe he's the best Friday night player in Texas," Stewart said. "I don't care what anybody else says. Nobody gets double- or triple-teamed more than he does. Everybody knows he's going to get the ball. I've been down here in Texas since 1982, and we've had some pretty good ones, but he's the best one I've had. He's fun to watch. He's worth the ticket price."

Dugat caught 72 passes for 1, 028 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, and rushed for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns.

Other schools like Oklahoma and Texas A&M are also recruiting Dugat but have told Stewart they wished he was a little taller. Stewart said he has a simple reply.

"He's very physical. These receivers that are 6-4, he'll jump up and slap them and take their candy," Stewart said.

Last season, Dugat was paired against current Texas freshman D. J. Monroe, who was the Texas high school Class 4 A 100-meter champion in 2006 and had a personal best of 10. 31 seconds. But that failed to impress Dugat.

"I know no one has ever caught A. J. [from behind ]," Stewart said. "I told A. J. that he [Monroe ] won the state 100 meters. He said, 'This ain't track, Coach.'"

Stewart said Dugat has recorded 17 catches for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2 games this season.

Dugat said he's checked out the Razorbacks on the Internet and knows of Arkansas' winning tradition. He said Houston and the Hogs are the only schools he's considering at this time.

Dugat sounded confident when asked his preference on what position he plays in college.

"I can play everywhere," he said.