Arkansas fullback commitment Hayden Johnson will get a more in-depth look at his future school when he starts his official visit today.
He attended the Auburn game on Oct. 24 for an unofficial visit, but is looking forward to spending more time on campus.
"I'm ready to get down there and see the campus again," Johnson said. "They have a new academic facility down there and I'm extremely excited. "
Johnson, 6-3, 245, 4.8 Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge picked the Razorbacks in June over more than 20 other scholarship offers from schools including Purdue, Tulsa, Wyoming and Louisiana Tech. He has since received offers from Florida State and Nebraska, but remains solid to Arkansas.
Back-to-back victories over nationally ranked Ole Miss and LSU have him excited.
"They've had a couple of big weekends over the past three weeks," Johnson said. "I'm excited to see how the team has evolved over the last three weeks."
As a junior, he recorded 70 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 10 rushing touchdowns as a junior. Johnson recorded 74 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 11 sacks 7 quarterback hurries this season while playing defensive end. He has 6 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown at tight end.
Johnson attended an Arkansas camp in June and earned his scholarship offer after a strong showing at fullback. He looks forward butting heads with SEC defenses next year.
"My whole life I've always been very physical player," Johnson said. "I played both tight end and D-End, which are very physical, and it set me up well for blocking and contact so I feel like I'm very prepared for that area of the game."
He stays in contact with Coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Dan Enos on a weekly basis.
"That's kind of huge that they're keeping in contact with me," Johnson said. "It's great talking to them about the upcoming game and it's just great hearing from them every week talking about my season and what's going on down there."
Johnson, who has a 3.92 grade-point average and plans to study pre-med, could graduate in December and enroll in January if he wishes. He and his parents will meet with the coaches and academic advisors to determine if he wants to enroll early.
"It's a huge thing to leave my family about a half a year early," Johnson said. "That's kind of the take away from that, but it would be a huge advantage to come down there and be able to play spring ball and learn about the offense."
Safety to return
Arkansas will also host hard-hitting safety Deon Edwards, another commitment, for an official visit this weekend, his first time in Fayetteville since June.
"Seeing more of the school, meeting players, being in a game-type situation, and viewing more of the educational side of the side," Edwards said of what he hopes to experience.
Edwards, 6-1, 195 pounds, of Clermont (Fla.) Lake Minneola pledged to Arkansas on July 29 over scholarship offers from schools like South Carolina, Missouri, Louisville, North Carolina State and South Florida.
He totaled 112 tackles, 8 interceptions, 2 sacks and a forced fumble as a sophomore and junior. This season, he recorded 79 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 pass breakups and an interception.
Defensive coordinator Robb Smith played a big role in his commitment. He said Smith doesn't get to far ahead on his plans for Edwards.
"Coach Smith and I mainly talk about me getting down there first, one step at a time," Edwards said.
Top RB to visit
ESPN's No. 3 rated running back and the No. 49 overall prospect in the nation, Devwah Whaley will also make an official visit.
Whaley, 6-0, 209 pounds, 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Beaumont (Texas) Central, has more than 20 scholarship offers, but narrowed his list to Arkansas, Georgia and Texas. He rushed 228 times for 1,701 yards and 23 touchdowns this season.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 11/20/2015