The Recruiting Guy

Danish recruit delights in Razorbacks' resurgence

Defensive linemen Hjalte and Lars Froholdt represented Denmark in the 2014 Football European Championships. They also hope to play together at Arkansas. (Photo courtesy of Tina Carstensen www.tdph.dk)

Arkansas defensive line commitment Hjalte Froholdt and highly recruited offensive line prospect Jalen Merrick will arrive today for their official visits this weekend.

It will be Froholdt's second trip to Fayetteville this season. He made an unofficial visit for the the Hogs' 73-7 victory over Nicholls State on Sept. 6.

Arkansas' 17-0 shutout of LSU last Saturday, along with several other close losses, has Froholdt optimistic about the future.

"It only shows how close we are to becoming a great team," Froholdt said. "Arkansas is on the tip of being one of the best."

Froholdt, 6-5, 290 pounds, played for Bradenton (Fla. ) IMG Academy this season and will add size, strength and athleticism for the Razorbacks and could be a major contributor next season. He signed an athletic financial aid agreement with Arkansas last week and will enroll in January.

ESPN rates him the No. 13 defensive tackle prospect and the nation's No. 97 overall prospect.

"All I want to do is connect with this team and do everything I can to help this team win," Froholdt said. "It does not matter where I line up. All I want is for the Arkansas Razorbacks to succeed."

Froholdt had 58 tackles, 7 1/2 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles in 10 games this season while wearing a cast on his left hand after breaking a small bone and suffering a slight ligament tear in a preseason practice.

He is no longer wearing the cast.

Froholdt was an exchange student from Denmark when he caught the attention of college coaches while playing as a tight end and defensive end for Warren (Ohio) Harding High School. He spent his junior season back home in Denmark playing for a club team.

He reported to IMG Academy in the summer and hadn't seen his parents, Hans and Lisa, or his younger sister Lea until Senior Night, the last game of the season.

"Just spending time with them again was joyful," he said. "We had a lot of fun during the course of the week."

Merrick, 6-5, 310, 5.21 seconds, plays for New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and is a major target of the Razorbacks. He has more than 20 offers from schools that include Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan State.

The Hogs are expected to host about 60 prospects Saturday on unofficial visits.

TIGHT END OFFERED

Arkansas hosted more than 60 recruits last Saturday for the LSU game, and junior tight end Kaden Smith of Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus was the most highly recruited prospect on hand.

Smith, 6-5, 235 pounds, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is considered one of the top prospects in Texas and the nation. ESPN rates him as the nation's No. 2 tight end and No. 43 overall 2016 prospect.

The chance to interact with Arkansas' coaching staff was the highlight of the trip.

"That was my first time meeting them," said Smith, whose girlfriend is a freshman at Arkansas. "I was just impressed how they handle recruits. They seem great with their players."

Arkansas' tight ends combined for nine catches for 107 yards in a 17-0 victory.

"I was really impressed how they use there tight ends," said Smith, who had 35 receptions for 540 yards this season. "They said the tight ends have about 60 catches and their goal is about 75 for the season."

Smith had more than 40 scholarship offers from schools that include Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida State and LSU prior to his visit. He added one from Arkansas when Coach Bret Bielema ventured to the sideline before the game to inform him of an offer.

"The atmosphere was great," he said. "When I got there the student section was filled and the stadium was pretty packed. Great fans."

Smith has attended games at Texas A&M, Stanford and Baylor this season and has plans to visit Alabama soon. He said he may make a return trip to Fayetteville.

"I would like to look into it a little more and go from there," Smith said.

E-mail Richard Davenport at

rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 11/21/2014