Are Razorbacks missing the boat on Fayetteville QB Lindsey?

I understand that I don’t get paid to evaluate high school football talent, but as my amateur eyes watched Saturday’s Class 7A state championship game in Little Rock, I couldn’t help but wonder why the Arkansas football program has shown absolutely no interest in Fayetteville quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Lindsey wrapped up his storybook high school career with a 355-yard passing performance in the 22-16 win over Bentonville in the title game, while securing MVP honors.

As a long-time sports scribe I have been fortunate enough to see many great high school players over the past 35 years. I have even gotten to know a few of them, personally. I have found that it is not only the raw talent that will lead to success at the next level, but also the character and the proverbial “it” factor the athlete possesses.

After covering many of Lindsey’s games over the past two seasons, I have seen a plethora of both. Not only is he one of the most dynamic, consistent passers I have seen, but his humility and respect for those around him, is undeniable.

You want size? He stands 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, and is a load to bring down. You want consistency? He completes 70 percent of his passes, often dropping deep dimes down field. You want gaudy numbers? Look no further than the 7,667 yards and 89 touchdowns he has thrown over the past two seasons. You want success? He just led the storied Fayetteville program to its first-ever perfect state championship season.

As the state’s most prolific drop-back passer the past two seasons, Lindsey is rated the No. 5 overall player in the state for the 2024 class, according to 247Sports, and the No. 33 pro-style quarterback nationally.

It is somewhat understandable why the Razorbacks shied away from him under the previous offensive regime, for schematic reasons. The Arkansas offense was based more on a spread attack, better suited for dual-threat signal-callers. Still, how can you not at least test the waters with one of the…