Arkansas has to continue upgrading its defensive line if it wants to be competitive in the SEC.
The Hogs signed highly regarded lineman Bijhon Jackson in 2014 and added other promising prospects like Anthony Brown, Armon Watts and Jake Hall.
Coach Bret Bielema and his staff have commitments from Junction City's JaMario Bell, Daytrieon Dean of Fort Smith Northside, Jeremiah Ledbetter of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and Hjalte Froholdt of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Froholdt, 6-5, 290 pounds, is one of the most highly touted and talented defensive line prospects the Hogs have received a commitment from since the inception of the recruiting services in the early 2000s. He chose the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and others.
Froholdt began his journey to Arkansas as a sophomore exchange student at Warren (Ohio) Harding High School, where he played tight end and defensive end his sophomore season. He went home to Denmark for his junior year where he played club football.
He enrolled at IMG during the summer and is playing his first season at the school. IMG Academy defensive coordinator Joseph Sturdivant has seen enough of Froholdt to know he is a special talent.
"He's just a tremendous football player, really is a man among boys," Sturdivant said. "We're playing against some really good offensive lines pretty much every week. We're playing against guys that have Division I offers, and he's making them look like he's on a whole different level."
Froholdt had 21 unassisted tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 5 quarterback hurries in 6 games going into Friday's game. He broke a small bone in his left hand and suffered a slight ligament tear in a preseason practice and is wearing a cast in games.
"He can only play on our left side right now," Sturdivant said. "So he's been moving in between nose and tackle and he even bumps out to end when we get in our three-man pass rush."
Froholdt traveled back to Denmark to have the hand checked out by a doctor.
"The game we lost was the game he didn't play," Sturdivant said.
IMG defeated Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep 36-20 on Sept 26. St. Peter's Prep entered the game ranked No. 6 in the nation by USA Today.
"We only gave up 20 yards rushing against St Peters Prep and he's a big factor behind that, and he's been doing this with one hand," Sturdivant said.
Froholdt's quickness and strength along with his relentless pursuit helps separate him from others.
"He's freakish the way he moves," Sturdivant said. "He's also got a high motor. A lot of defensive linemen will stop after the ball is thrown over their heads, but he puts his foot in the ground and he's gunning for it."
HOGS EYE QB
Arkansas is taking a hard look at junior quarterback Matthew Beck of Alexandria, La., who is drawing interest from approximately 17 schools.
Beck, 6-7, 208 pounds, 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash, threw for 1,450 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore and had 1,210 passing yards and 8 touchdowns going into Friday's game.
He's communicating with offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and receivers coach Michael Smith.
"Coach Smith will message me on Twitter every Friday," Beck said. "Just wishing me good luck and hoping I'll do my best and telling me about game day and stuff like that. Just keeping in touch."
Beck, who also plays shortstop and pitcher in baseball, said he plans to visit Fayetteville.
"They told me I could come to any game I like," said Beck, who has a baseball scholarship from Baton Rouge Community College. "I'm trying to arrange it to where I come to the LSU game."
He reports a 4.0 grade-point average and said he is hoping to stay in football after his playing days are over.
"I want to be a coach," Beck said. "Pass the knowledge that I have, or that I will gain, down to the people that have the same love for the game as me."
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 10/12/2014