Arkansas fans rejoiced upon hearing the word that Arkansas quarterback commitment Rafe Peavey declared he was 100% Hog after visiting the Razorbacks on Friday.
Not one to crave the media attention that goes with the recruiting process, Peavey is glad to be a Razorback and is ready to recruit other top prospects to Fayetteville.
"I really don't like recruiting and the attention that comes along with it," said Peavey, who was featured in Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "The media has a way of anointing people before they've earned it. I want to feel like I earned it. I guess you can say it feels good getting it off my chest and looking forward to proving it."
Peavey, 6-2, 207, 4.5 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Bolivar, Missouri pledged to the Hogs last summer and was the first commitment for the 2014 class. That didn't stop numerous other schools from offering up scholarships in hopes to change his mind and now stands at about 30 offers.
Friday's visit was his third to Arkansas since the hiring of Coach Bret Bielema. The first trip earlier in the year made him feel good about being coached by Bielema and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Chaney. He called both coaches brilliant.
"Being in a QB meeting room with coach Chaney, he really teaches well," Peavey said. "He's just a great teacher and a great person. That's one thing I learned coming back to Arkansas is how a great person he is and we learn something every time."
His admiration for Bielema was evident after the latest visit and described his relationship with the head Hog as a strong bond.
"Coach Bielema is just a great person," said Peavey, who cancelled an Ohio State visit to travel to Fayetteville. "Not many coaches have the bond with the players like he does. He has an open door policy. He really made me feel special and wanted. That meant a lot to me."
Peavey, who plans to major in business, was able to tour the Sam M. Walton College of Business with Jeff Hood, the Director of Undergraduate Programs.
Another highlight of the trip was spending time with freshmen quarterback Austin Allen, tight end Hunter Henry and running back Alex Collins.
"All three of those guys are great people and great players," said Peavey, who also turned down a visit request from Southern Cal. "They showed me there was really good chemistry at Arkansas. I'm not sure that's what you get at other places. It just shows you what's coming down the road later and I want to be a part of that."
Peavey plans to graduate in December and enroll at Arkansas in January.