Lateisha Floyd, the mother of University of Arkansas running back commitment A'Montae Spivey, approved of her son being a Razorback after visiting Fayetteville in June, but even more so after his official visit last weekend.
Because Spivey had a game the night before the Alabama game, he, his mother and father arrived in Fayetteville during the 2nd quarter of Saturday's game after enduring flight delays.
Almost immediately after arriving at the game, Razorback fans recognized Spivey.
"At halftime they were like, 'Hey, A'Montae, I follow you, brother,' " Floyd said. "I thought it was real cool that they truthfully watched and paid attention to him. They were talking to me and his dad about what a great kid we had. I thought that was pretty impressive."
Spivey, 6-1, 207 pounds, 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Phenix City, Ala., Central chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from LSU, Purdue, Cincinnati and others in early August.
Floyd follows her son on Twitter and has noticed Hog fans interacting with him, but being at the game was different.
"A lot of people you think might say things just to be saying it, but when we got there we felt the love from everybody," Floyd said. "It was genuine. They really want to see him in Arkansas and they showed major love and I thought that was cool."
The fans have also paid attention to Spivey's senior highlights.
"They were talking about how fast he was," Floyd said.
When Spivey committed to Arkansas, he made a video that honored his late grandmother.
"One of the guys stopped him and told him that was a cool dedication in his announcement by including his grandmother and that really touched him and I thought that was sweet," she said.
Because his team usually routes opponents, Spivey gets limited touches but is very effective when he does. He had 62 carries for 556 yards and 12 touchdowns in the first six games this season.
Seeing the passion of the fans, and seeing how they follow her son on Twitter, was overwhelming to Floyd.
"I just couldn't believe the fans. ... They really follow these kids and they're not just saying something to get you here," she said.
"They genuinely want them here to make it a better year next year."
She enjoyed spending time with Coach Chad Morris and running backs coach Jeff Traylor.
"We were on board the first time we came, but nothing changed. Everybody was the same," Floyd said. "There was still major love shown by the coaches and coach Traylor and Coach Morris. Nothing really changed for me. It kind of seconded that thought I had to make sure it was the right fit."
Spivey's player-host for Saturday evening was running back Rakeem Boyd. Floyd was impressed how Boyd interacted with Morris, Traylor and offensive quality control analysts Julian B. Griffin.
"It was very impressive because he just got here, so there would be nothing he would be faking because everything he would be speaking about would be what he learned from the time he got here to present," Floyd said. "One thing he said he was coach Traylor loves us and I thought that was cool for a child that just got here to already feel loved and wanted. I think it's awesome."
Floyd believes Arkansas is a good fit for her son, but does have one reservation.
"Now is it too far?, Yes, but I feel comfortable leaving him," she said laughing.
Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 10/12/2018