Arkansas is expected to get a visit from one of the nation's top junior running backs in the spring.
Elijah Holyfield, 5-10, 200, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of College Park, (Ga.) Woodward Academy, is rated as the nation's No. 18 running back and No. 137 overall prospect by ESPN. He's the son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
He's an admirer of Coach Bret Bielema' style of play.
"I know he runs the ball a lot and he's the old coach at Wisconsin," Holyfield said. "So I'm real familiar with him. I've watched them play a few times, and their running backs are real good. Just off of that I'm all interested."
Holyfield, who watched the the Hogs play Texas A&M, Alabama and LSU on television, said he wants to meet running backs coach Joel Thomas.
"I've talked to him over the phone, but I haven't met him in person," Holyfield said. "I would love to see the type of person he is."
Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Michigan and Ole Miss are among Holyfield's 27 scholarship offers. Holyfield rushed 189 times for 1,244 yards and 21 touchdowns along with 17 receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown in 10 regular-season games.
Holyfield recorded six games of 100 yards or more this season after rushing 97 times for 594 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior.
Woodward Academy assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ryan Davis said Holyfield is a downhill runner.
"He has the speed that can break way, but also has the physicality that will run you over," Davis said. "He'll run between the tackles. He's not one of those guys that's just an outside runner. He's a slasher, he's physical. He has a great jump cut."
Defensive line coach Rory Segrest is Holyfield's lead recruiter.
"I talk to him all the time on Twitter," Holyfield said. "He's been to my school a couple of times. He's a real cool guy, very down-to-earth guy, laid-back. The type of guy I like."
Davis said Holyfield has the work ethic needed to maximize his ability.
"He's a really, really hard worker," Davis said. "That's one of his major, major assets about him. He works hard. He's going to put the extra time in to get his game better."
RUMMEL RUNDOWN
Cornerback Henre Toliver and linebacker Dwayne Eugene, two true freshmen who have contributed to the Arkansas cause this season, signed with Arkansas out of Metairie, (La.) Rummel in February.
Now, the Razorbacks are back at Rummel in pursuit of highly regarded junior cornerback Kristian Fulton.
"He's told me how it's up there, and he loves it up there," said Fulton of Toliver.
Fulton, 6-0, 170 pounds, has 15 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, Ohio State and Florida.
The experiences of Toliver and Eugene changed the way Fulton has looked at his recruitment.
"The one thing that stood out to me when they went up there for an official, Coach (Bret) Bielema told them to find a place that fits you academically, socially and athletically," Fulton said. "That really stood out to me because that got me thinking about my decision."
Fulton said he plans to check out Fayetteville and see what his former teammates like so much.
"I was supposed to come up this weekend, but we had practice," he said.
Fulton, who has visited LSU and Mississippi State this season, made trips to Alabama, Florida State, Central Florida, Texas A&M and Florida during the summer.
Receivers coach Michael Smith is Fulton's lead recruiter.
"He's real cool, he's a real cool coach," Fulton said. "He's one of those laid-back coaches. He's not one of those always serious coaches. He's like a coach that's cool to have."
Fulton said he has also noticed Smith's ability to get New Orleans-area talent to Arkansas.
"Yeah, because he's done a good job of getting recruits in down here," Fulton said.
RB 'TOP PRIORITY'
Playing time at running back could open up at Arkansas in time for the 2016 season with junior Jonathan Williams' eligibility set to expire after 2015 and the possibility that sophomore Alex Collins could leave early for the NFL Draft.
One of the running backs Arkansas is targeting to fill the opening is Devin White of Springhill (La.) North Webster.
"I'm interested in Ark because the program is on the rise and I think I could be a difference-maker in the upcoming years of that," said White, a cousin of freshman wide receiver Jared Cornelius. "They are a top rushing team in the SEC. They are making me a top priority, and they are talking about me being a impact freshman."
White, 6-2, 235, 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, reports 10 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, LSU, Alabama, Nebraska and Ole Miss. ESPN rates him the No. 13 athlete and the No. 178 overall prospect in the 2016 class.
Receivers coach Michael Smith is White's lead recruiter and visited the school in the spring and during one of Arkansas' bye weeks.
"Coach Smith has come down," said White, who admires Smith and the way he communicates with recruits. "We converse two times a week and he basically told me that Arkansas needs me because I fit right into their style of play.
"He's a passionate man, he knows what to tell a recruit and that's the truth. He's a don't-beat-around-the-bush type of guy."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 11/23/2014