Sometimes prospects committed to a college program can be one of the best assets in recruiting.
Receiver Kofi Boateng, an Arkansas commitment, of Arlington (Texas) Lamar is communicating with two highly regarded recruits about the Razorbacks.
He became friends with Houston Stratford running back Rakeem Boyd, a Texas A&M commitment, while competing against him in 7-on-7 tournaments. He noticed Boyd is planning to make an official visit to Fayetteville in January.
"I just told him when he goes down that he should really give it a real look and he'll be able to play early there, too, because we'll be losing two running backs," Boateng said.
Boyd, 6-0, 200 pounds, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, rushed 194 times for 1,996 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior and was named 19-5A District Co-MVP. This past season, he ran for about 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns.
CBS Sports Network national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rates Boyd a four-star prospect.
"I told him I know he's committed to Texas A&M and I'm not going to try and make him decommit," Boateng said. "But just give it a shot and if he feels like it could be the place for him to go ahead and jump on board because we could use him."
Boateng also is talking to Waco cornerback Eric Cuffee, who plans to officially visit the Hogs on Jan. 29-31.
Boateng plans to officially visit Fayetteville on Jan. 22-24 and is hoping Boyd can join him.
"I told him when my official visit is, so ... if he wants to come on the 22nd, he can," Boateng said.
Boateng, 6-1, 180, 4.6 seconds, recorded 66 receptions for 1,023 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and had 46 receptions for 782 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior.
He chose the Hogs in August over about 30 other scholarship offers from schools like Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Washington, Kansas State and Nebraska. Running backs coach Jemal Singleton was Boateng's lead recruiter.
He made an unofficial visit to Arkansas in June and has never had second doubts about his pledge.
"Just the family atmosphere and they accepted me so well when I visited," said Boateng on why he's solid in his commitment. "They keep in contact with me."
After watching the regular season, Boateng said he believes there are bright days ahead for the Razorbacks.
"To be honest, they're just a good recruiting class away from being back on top of the SEC and I think it could be our recruiting class if we get all the pieces that we need," Boateng said.
Boateng is hoping to see Boyd or two other highly recruited running backs, Devwah Whaley of Beaumont (Texas) Central or Kyle Porter of Katy, Texas, jump on board with the Hogs.
"We would have so many options. If we end up with them, we could just end up taking over the SEC," Boateng said.
The Arkansas offense under offensive coordinator Dan Enos rushed for 2,311 yards and 26 touchdowns while passing for 3,171 yards and 30 touchdowns during the regular season. Last year's regular season totals were 2,643 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns along with 2,284 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air.
Boateng, who's rated a four-star prospect by Lemming, liked what he saw out of the Hogs' offense.
"That was the kind of the offense I was looking for, not an offense like you pass the ball 75 percent of the time, but where we could balance it out and have a good running game along with a good passing game and each open up the other," Boateng said.
Sports on 12/27/2015