Arkansas hosted eight junior prospects on unofficial visits on Saturday and they are posting favorable reviews.
Highly recruited running back-linebacker Devin White, 6-2, 235 pounds, 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Springhill, (La.) North Webster, made his second Fayetteville trip with the goal of getting to know new running backs coach Jemal Singleton.
"He and I are on the same page as far as recruiting wise and playing wise and the style we'll see out there in the future," White said.
Arkansas, LSU, Alabama, Nebraska and Ole Miss are among more than 20 schools to offer scholarships to White, who is rated as ESPN's No. 12 athlete and No. 196 recruit overall.
White rushed 270 times for 2,287 yards and 30 touchdowns and had 93 tackles on defense this past season.
White said Coach Bret Bielema went out of his way to let him know he had what it takes to play running back in Fayetteville.
"He was like, 'Oh yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about because you will be because you don't find many backs like that'," White said. "That right there gives you first round potential easily right there."
Arkansas sophomore receiver Jared Cornelius, White's cousin, has taken a low-key approach in trying to recruit him.
"Other than that he said he's going to support me," said White, who attended the Arkansas-LSU basketball game along with the other prospects.
White first visited Arkansas on Nov. 22 for the Hogs' 30-0 victory over Ole Miss and said he hopes to return for another visit before the fall.
"You just feel it's a great atmosphere to be around," White said. "You just get chills. Even around the basketball atmosphere."
'SOSA' SOAKS IT IN
Hope defensive end McTelvin Agim said he enjoyed being recognized by the fans at the Arkansas-LSU basketball game in Bud Walton arena.
"The fans were crazy," said Agim, known as "Sosa" to his friends and some Arkansas fans. "When we were walking through, they were like 'Sosa we love you.' When I was leaving for halftime a big section started chanting and chanting like 'Sosa we need you here' and then the whole section started cheering. It was crazy. It really blew my mind."
Agim, 6-3, 265, 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is rated as ESPN's No. 22 defensive end and No. 220 prospect overall. He has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Stanford, Clemson, Oklahoma and others.
Defensive coordinator Robb Smith and defensive line coach Rory Segrest told Agim how he would be used.
"They said I would be like Trey Flowers at the R, rush end and I could dominate and productive in their system," Agim said.
A group of current players that included Jonathan Williams, Sebastian Tretola, Jared Cornelius, Dan Skipper, Hunter Henry, Bijhon Jackson, Henre Toliver and others were on hand to answer questions from the unofficial visitors.
"Arkansas fans are very passionate about their football and sports period," Agim said. "Especially football, so I asked if they really get a lot of backlash like when you mess up. They were like not really in your face, but on social media."
Agim said the Hogs are in good position on his list of schools.
"I have to say Arkansas is pretty high," Agim said.
HAMMONDS HANGS OUT
Pulaski Robinson athlete T.J. Hammonds said he enjoyed hanging out with the coaches and learning offensive coordinator Dan Enos' plans for him.
"They showed me how they would use me in the new offense that Coach Enos has," Hammonds said. "He was telling me they would use me at the slot and wide out and sometimes in the backfield. ... I think he has some plans. He's rebuilding the offense."
Hammonds, 5-11, 192 pounds, 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona State, TCU, Vanderbilt and others. He said he got a good vibe from Coach Bret Bielema.
"He made me feel very special." Hammonds said.
Hammonds rushed 58 times for 852 yards and 7 touchdowns and had 41 receptions for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. He had 19 unassisted tackles, 1 forced fumble and a recovered fumble as a defensive back.
Hammonds, who will visit TCU on Saturday, said the Hogs are high on his list.
"They're up there," Hammonds said.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 03/10/2015