Recruiting guy

Denmark's Froholdt checks in, meets new coaches

Defensive linemen Hjalte and Lars Froholdt represented Denmark in the 2014 Football European Championships. They also hope to play together at Arkansas. 
(Photo courtesy of Tina Carstensen www.tdph.dk)
Defensive linemen Hjalte and Lars Froholdt represented Denmark in the 2014 Football European Championships. They also hope to play together at Arkansas. (Photo courtesy of Tina Carstensen www.tdph.dk)

Arkansas defensive line commitment Hjalte Froholdt was looking forward to his last weekend's visit, his first to Fayetteville since he and his parents visited for the South Carolina game last October.

It was important to Froholdt to meet defensive coordinator Robb Smith and defensive line coach Rory Segrest, who joined the Razorbacks' staff after Froholdt's December commitment.

"It was good to talk to Coach Segrest and Coach Smith and figure out what kind of guys they are," Frohodlt said. "Of course you can talk to them on the phone, but it's really good to meet them in person."

Froholdt, 6-5, 290 pounds, played his sophomore season in 2012 as an exchange student at Warren (Ohio) Harding High School before going back home to Denmark, where he played club football for the Gold Diggers of Sollerod.

He is playing his senior season at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, and after watching the Hogs' 73-7 victory over Nicholls State, he said he believes the Razorbacks have made gains.

"I see a lot of improvement since last year," said Froholdt, who plans to graduate in December and enroll at Arkansas in January. "I can't wait to really come down here myself."

Hjalte was accompanied to Fayetteville by his older brother, Lars, 6-1, 330, who started playing club football in April and flew from Denmark to Dallas last Thursday to watch Hjalte and IMG Academy take on Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian.

Lars visited Abilene Christian on Friday and drove with Hjalte to Fayetteville on Saturday morning.

A sit-down meeting between Hjalte, Lars and Coach Bret Bielema occurred in Bielema's office Saturday morning.

"It was a great conversation, just laid back like always," Hjalte Froholdt said. " I feel real comfortable there."

Froholdt and Lars, 20, left Fayetteville on Monday morning to visit Arkansas Tech, another possible school for Lars. They then drove back to Dallas before flying to Florida.

The trip to Fayetteville was Lars' first and he strongly approved.

"We've been visiting a lot of schools with Hjalte now," said Lars, who has been to Michigan, Alabama and Florida State with Hjalte and his parents. "I've visited a few schools myself. Even though it's not my decision to make, I think I would also choose Arkansas. It's just something about it. You get the feeling that you don't get somewhere else."

SUPER SOPHOMORE

Nashville sophomore running back Darius Hopkins developed quite a reputation in junior high and his debut on the varsity level last Friday against Hope didn't do anything to hurt it. He rushed 12 times for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 53-10 victory.

"He's a guy with another gear and a guy that can make people miss," Nashville Coach Billy Dawson said. "He's a heckuva player."

Hopkins, 6-0, 175 pounds added about 15 pounds to his frame during the offseason. He's drawing interest from Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama and Auburn. He recorded a time of 11.1 seconds in the 100 meters during the spring.

He had about 40 touchdowns as a ninth grader and had 350 yards on six carries in one game.

He played point guard as a freshman on the varsity level and helped the Scrappers to the state semifinals.

"He's a three-sporter, he's never really been in the weight room until this year," Dawson said. "So he's just now developing. He's got a chance."

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 09/12/2014

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