The recruiting guy

Texas RB pares list, puts Arkansas in top five

Devwah Whaley

One of Arkansas' top offensive priorities, running back Devwah Whaley has narrowed his list of more than 20 scholarship offers down to five and the Hogs made the list.

Whaley, 5-11, 196 pounds, 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Beaumont (Texas) Central, also included Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia as his top schools.

"The coaching staff, of course, and the style of the offense and how hard they've been recruiting me," Whaley said of the positive impression Arkansas has made. "Academics as well."

ESPN rates Whaley as the nation's No. 3 running back and No. 49 overall 2016 prospect He rushed 172 times for 1,225 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior for the Class 5A Jaguars.

Defensive backs coach Clay Jennings, who recruits the Beaumont area, is communicating with Whaley, along with running backs coach Jemal Singleton, offensive line coach Sam Pittman and Coach Bret Bielema.

"I talk to them pretty much everyday -- between coach Singleton, coach Jennings and the O-line coach and Coach B sometimes," Whaley said. "Coach Singleton is always keeping me informed when they have a new O-line commitment or anything. They just had an O-line commitment the other day. "

The summer dead period for recruiting started June 29 and ends July 12. Prospects aren't allowed to have face-to-face contact with college coaches on or off campus. Whaley said he, his mother and stepfather will make a trip to Fayetteville once the dead period is over.

"I'll be up there soon, real soon," said Whaley, who also excels in track and field.

Whaley has run 10.60 seconds in the 100 meters and and has a triple jump of 47-11.

Whaley, who has unofficially visited Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, said he'll also probably visit Georgia this summer, with a decision coming much later.

"I'll probably make a decision after I officially visit all five," Whaley said.

LOUISIANA WR KEEPS UA ALIVE

Arkansas made the cut when highly regarded receiver Isaiah Graham slashed his list to nine.

Graham, 6-1, 175 pounds, 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Bastrop, La., pared his list of 20 offers by 11, listing Arkansas, TCU, Miami, Tennessee, South Carolina, Arizona State, Mississippi State, Texas Tech and Nebraska as his remaining candidates..

"Some of the schools I didn't see myself going to and I didn't think it was a great fit for me," Graham said.

Arkansas was the first to offer Graham last September and he said he likes the program's direction.

"They're a real rising program, I feel like they have a chance to be one of the best teams in the SEC," he said.

Graham caught 48 passes for 1,138 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. ESPN rates Graham as the nation's No. 15 receiver and the No. 102 overall prospect. He's an admirer of Coach Bret Bielema.

"I feel like he's a great guy and I feel like he can make me a better person and help me get prepared for the next level," Graham said.

Receivers coach Michael Smith recruits Louisiana, has secured three 2016 commitments from Louisiana and hopes to do the same with Graham.

"He's from Louisiana, and he and I have a great bond," Graham said.

Graham has visited Arkansas several times and was in attendance for the Red-White game in the April. He ran the 100 meters in 10.65 seconds and the 200 in 22.0 in the spring.

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos' impressed Graham in the spring game with how he presented the passing game, but Graham said he could commit to the Hogs if he likes what he sees.

"I just want to see the ball in the air more," Graham said. "In the spring game, they threw the ball a lot so I hope he carries it through the season."

Graham's father, Willie, is from Arkansas. Plus, two sisters, Stacie and Lacol, along with other family members, live in Little Rock. Graham said he recently vacationed with the Arkansas sector of his family recently at Orange Beach, Ala. and they told him he needed to be a Hog.

"That's all I heard the whole weekend," Graham said. "They're excited about it. As soon as I got there, Day 1, they were 'Woo Pig Sooie' and all of that. It was fun. I liked it."

TOP PROSPECTS MAKE THE OPENING

Arkansas target and Hope defensive end McTelvin Agim will be among 166 of the nation's top prospects participating at The Opening, a noted showcase that takes place at Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon from Wednesday to Friday.

Numerous other Razorback prospects, including running back Devin White of Springhill, (La.) North Webster, cornerback Kristian Fulton of Metairie, (La.) Rummel and cornerback Eric Cuffee will also be attending.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 07/07/2015