Defensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt, an Arkansas commitment, will leave Denmark in late June and arrive in Bradenton, Fla., to enroll at IMG Academy for his senior season.
High on his list is getting back to Fayetteville during the summer.
"I can't wait to visit again," Froholdt said. "Maybe I can get up there on a weekend or something like that. Or else, I'm going to take an official visit during the season."
Froholdt, 6-5, 290 pounds, orally committed to Arkansas on Dec. 1, choosing the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan State, Louisville and others. ESPN rates him the No. 10 defensive tackle and the nation's No. 81 overall prospect.
He visited Fayetteville in May last year with his father, Hans, and made a return trip with his father and mother, Lisa, for the South Carolina game Oct. 12.
Froholdt became a prospect in 2012, as an exchange student, when he started at tight end and defensive end at Warren (Ohio) Harding High School.
He said he has been recruiting former Harding teammate and offensive lineman James Daniels, who is rated the No. 3 center in the nation by ESPN.
"I told him about how they run the offense at Arkansas and that it would be a perfect fit for him since he's been doing pro-style offense during high school," Froholdt said.
Froholdt returned to Denmark for his junior year and has played club football for the Gold Diggers of Sollerod.
Froholdt became the youngest player to be selected to the Denmark Senior National Team, which will compete against five other European countries from May 30 to June 7 in Austria in the 2014 Football European Championships. He'll be joined by his brother, Lars, who started playing football a few months ago.
"It's a huge accomplishment," Froholdt said. "I'm very honored by being picked to be a part of the best football players Denmark has to offer and showcase it all in Austria at the Europe Championships."
ESPN senior recruiting writer Jeremy Crabtree said he believes Froholdt's early oral commitment was a big one for the Razorbacks.
" It gives them a shot in the arm from a recruiting standpoint," Crabtree said "He's the type of player other recruits will pay attention to, and I fully expect his commitment to be a nice lure for the Arkansas coaches."
Lars, 6-1, 320, also plays on the defensive line for the Gold Diggers and Hjalte Froholdt said his older brother hopes to join him at Arkansas after attending a yet to be determined school in the United States.
" I'm very happy for him," Froholdt said. "It's awesome that we can share the experience together."
Froholdt said he stays in communication with Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and defensive line coach Rory Segrest through Twitter.
"It's hard to keep contact so far away, but we're managing it," Froholdt said.
Froholdt, who has a 325-pound bench press and 575-pound squat, has been trying to maintain his strength during his season with the Gold Diggers. He said he is excited about arriving in the United States and enrolling at IMG.
"I see myself losing a little weight but gaining a lot of muscle," said Froholdt, who weighed 11 pounds at birth. "What they got going on at IMG, strength and conditioning-wise, is amazing. Can't wait to arrive and get started."
ANOTHER ON WAY?
Arkansas might add junior-college linebacker Josh Williams of Dodge City (Kan.) Community College to the roster for the 2014 season.
Williams, 6-2, 240 pounds, 4.43, is eligible to enroll in a four-year college this fall and has been talking to Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman and linebackers coach Randy Shannon. He said he plans to enroll at Arkansas this summer and will play for the Razorbacks in the fall if his transcript is accepted.
He attended Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard before making his way to Kansas. Linebacker signee Randy Ramsey also attended Dillard.
Williams has four years to play three.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 05/18/2014