Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and his history of producing top backs has junior running back Elijah Holyfield planning to visit Fayetteville in the spring.
Holyfield, 5-10, 200, 4.5 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of College Park, (Ga.) Woodward Academy, has 27 scholarship offers from schools like Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Michigan and Ole Miss.
Woodward Academy assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ryan Davis said Holyfield likes the Hogs’ focus on the running game.
“The fact he’s an every down back and he likes that Arkansas runs the ball and they have a big, physical offensive line,” Davis said.
Holyfield rushed 189 times for 1,244 yards and 21 touchdowns along with 17 receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown in 10 regular-season games. He’s rated the No. 18 running back and No. 137 overall prospect in the nation for the 2016 class by ESPN.
“I wanted to get to a game to see what the atmosphere was like,” said Holyfield, whose father is former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. “But I’ll just get a feel for it when I get up there.”
National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network likes Holyfield's skill set.
"Elijah is a powerhouse of a back, his speed is good, his strength is excellent," Lemming said. "He's a dynamic runner between the tackles. He keeps his pads low, has good body lean and does a great job of finishing off his runs. He also has the burst and quickness to get to the perimeter and cause damage. He's a legit big-time prospect with a bright future."
Holyfield, who's being recruited by defensive line coach Rory Segrest, also returns kickoffs.
“He’s run five kickoffs back, three of them have been touchdowns,” Davis said. “He’s gotten to the point where they’re not kicking it to him .”