FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hosted three prospects from Fort Pierce, (Fla.) Central High School, linebacker Sharieff Rhaheed, defensive end Rashawn Shaw and junior receiver Nehari Crawford for unofficial visits Friday and Saturday.
The two senior prospects said the visits exceeded their expectations.
Rhaheed, 6-4, 207, 4.7,seconds in the 40 yard dash, reports having 21 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Alabama, LSU, Louisville and Ole Miss. He recalls what stood out once he arrived.
“The fans, the hills, it’s like country,” Rhaheed said. “I don’t have anything against that. Everybody supports Arkansas, the school and the football program.”
The new football complex received a thumbs up from Rhaheed.
“It’s real nice, it’s real nice,” said Rhaheed, who has the Hogs in his top five but has yet to release the other four schools. “The locker room as big and huge. It’s roomie.”
He met with Coach Bret Bielema a couple of times and heard he was a good fit for the Hogs defense.
“He feels I can come in and play. He feels like I’m one of the guys I could go to the NFL and that I would have a good career,” Rhaheed said.
Shaw, 6-2, 230 pounds reports having 30 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Louisville, was impressed with Bielema.
“He’s down-to-earth,” said Shaw, who’s committed to Louisville. “He’s a cool guy. Coach B told me he could see me playing very well at this level, SEC football, and he could see me producing early and making it to the league and probably playing some years in the league.”
He also said the Hogs made his top five because of the visit. Louisville was his top team followed by North Carolina State, Wake Forest and then the Hogs and Florida rounded out the list.
“I just want to feel out the environment of the school and see what they have to offer me,” said Shaw, who along with Rhaheed and Crawford is being recruited by linebackers coach Randy Shannon. “As far as academically, producing as a college player and being able to get my degree and play early at the college level.”
Shaw said a return trip to Fayetteville is likely.
“I’m probably going to come back during the season for an official,” he said. “Coach is going to try to get us up here during a bye week for a game.”
Crawford worked out at Arkansas’ Elite Prospect Camp on Friday and timed a 4.47 seconds in the 40 yard dash in one attempt.