Murphy signs financial aid agreement with Hogs

University of Arkansas assistant coach Taver Johnson during media day Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 at the Fred W. Smith Football Center in Fayetteville.

Cornerback Chris Murphy, 5-10, 180, 4.41 seconds of the 40 yard dash, of Marietta, (Ga.) Lassiter signed an Arkansas athletic financial aid agreement at about 7:30 this morning.

The agreement does not take the place of the National Letter of Intent but allows communication between the two parties without the normal NCAA limitations between a school and a prospect.

A new NCAA rule allows recruits enrolling in January to sign the agreement prior to the the usual national signing day in February. While the rule allows unlimited communication, it does not bind a prospect to the school. Only the National Letter of Intent does that.

Murphy pledged to the Hogs over about 20 scholarship offers, including North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt and Missouri. Cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson is Murphy's lead recruiter.