Ole Miss linebacker commitment Donta Evans, an Arkansas recruiting priority, plans to take his five official visits and the Hogs will be one of them.
Evans and his parents made an unofficial visit Fayetteville on June 12.
"I didn't get chance to see all of Arkansas," Evans said. "I definitely want to see some more."
Evans, 6-3, 230, of Lawrenceville, (Ga.) Archer, has approximately 20 scholarship offers but narrowed his list to Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Auburn and Missouri before pledging to the Rebels on Aug. 2.
He said he plans to visit the Hogs for an SEC game this fall.
"I want to see how they play, how they coach," Evans said. "I didn't get a chance to see all that. Of course I like what I saw, so."
Evans said his parents enjoyed the early visit.
"Everybody was so down-to-earth and welcomed us with open arms and showed us everything," he said. "The business program, which is what I want to major in, is incredible and the city of Fayetteville."
Evans said he communicates with his lead recruiter, defensive line coach Rory Segrest, linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves and Coach Bret Bielema. He said he and Bielema talk the most and that has made a strong impact on him.
"Of course, anytime the head coach is talking to you and [direct messaging] you on Twitter," Evans said. "I talk to him and we have good conversations and that definitely made an impression."
He recorded 153 tackles, 32 for losses, 6 forced fumbles and an interception as a junior. Evans said Bielema told him he's wanted and fits the mold of being an uncommon young man.
"They need linebackers and he really loves me and my family and what I'm all about and my style of play," Evans said.
Evans said he was impressed by Arkansas strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert and is looking forward to meeting Herbert again. Herbert was named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association in May.
"It was just beautiful how he had everything set up for us and how he was ready to do his presentation ," Evans said. "He told us about himself and his strength program, so I was very impressed."
Evans said he also plans to officially visit his other top schools. He said the Rebels coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Dave Womack, played a major role in his commitment.
Evans said Womack spent 12-13 hours with him during a visit.
"He was there all day and he was by my side and stayed with me throughout the day," Evans said. "He's the defensive coordinator so that's a big thing."
TEXAS ATHLETE TO VISIT
Arkansas will get an official visit from highly regarded athlete Tyrell Alexander, who visited the Hogs earlier in the summer.
"The thing that stood out to me when I went to Arkansas was the fans and ... the atmosphere out there," Alexander said. "I liked how everybody is together and they're like family. Like a team out there."
Alexander, 6-2, 178, 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Lancaster, Texas, has approximately 15 scholarship offers, including Arkansas, Arizona State, TCU, Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Texas Tech. He committed to Oklahoma State on April 18, but reopened his recruiting July 25.
The Hogs want Alexander to play defense.
"They want me to play corner and play in the secondary and possibly return punts and kickoffs," Alexander said.
Alexander placed sixth in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.27 seconds in the Class 5A State Championships in the spring. He had a best of 37.00 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles.
"I'm probably going to go out to West Virginia for sure and I might go to Tennessee, too," Alexander said of other official visits.
Alexander, rated a four-star prospect by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network, played quarterback as a junior and completed 49 of 93 passes for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 158 carries for 1,152 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Alexander said he likes how defensive backs coach Clay Jennings recruits him.
"He's an outstanding guy," Alexander said. "He checks in on me and cares for me a lot. He sends me messages like every other day and just hoping I have a good week and what I need to work on."
Alexander explained what he's looking for in a school.
"I just looking for a place that makes me feel comfortable and at home," he said. "A place I'm going to be utilized and just find a place that's comfortable and fits me."
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 08/21/2015