Arkansas will host defensive end Hjalte Froholdt, ESPN’s No. 14 prospect for the 2015 class, for an unofficial visit on Oct. 12 when the Hogs play South Carolina.
Froholdt, 6-5, 275 pounds is one of the better stories in college recruiting after playing his sophomore year at Warren (Ohio) Harding High School as an exchanged student from Denmark.
He showed up unannounced at the beginning of two-a-days and asked to try out. Video highlights click here
In the May 17 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Warren Coach Steve Arnold said he didn’t expect much from Froholdt.
“There’s no way a kid from Denmark that’s been playing 7-on-7 football is going to come here and start at a Division I high school here in Ohio, where football is big, and we’re one of the biggest high schools in the state of Ohio,” Arnold said.
Just after a few days of practice, Arnold realized Froholdt would be the starter at tight end and defensive end.
“He has a tremendous, tremendous upside,” Arnold said.
Froholdt, who visited Arkansas with his father, Hans in May, returned home where he plays club football for the Gold Diggers of Søllerød, Denmark and plans to return to the states for his senior year.
His mother, Lisa will join her son and husband on the Arkansas trip and other visits to Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State during October.
“Well every big D1 school has great facilities,” Froholdt said. “So that's not really the biggest factor. It's mostly about, the people, and if i can picture myself standing in the middle of campus in four years and still be happy with my decision. So a place I feel at home.”
He knows what he wants to experience on his second trip to Fayetteville. .
“Just the whole Hog game day experience,” said Froholdt, who also plans to visit Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State in October. “And also see the coaches and players in action.”
Froholdt is being recruited by cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson.
“He's a good coach that has a lot of good stuff to say and is easy to casually talk to,” he said.
During his visit, Froholdt and his father were able to meet with Coach Bret Bielema.
“He's a great coach, with a great perspective of my situation,” Froholdt said. “I really like how he's turning things around. I'm sure that Bielema is the right choice for Arkansas.”
Froholdt wants to go into strength and conditioning or become a football coach. He likes how his major is located on the Arkansas campus.
“I wanna major in kinesiology and the department is luckily right next to the football facility,” he said. “So that's great.”
Froholdt said he’ll probably narrow his list his October visits and might make a decision in January.