Arkansas is expected to host six football official visits for Saturday's Alabama game and Kansas defensive line commitment Troy James is one of them.
James, 6-3, 276 pounds, of Baton Rouge Madison Prep Academy, has approximately 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Arkansas, Kansas, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, SMU and Indiana.
Because he has a game Friday, James and his parents won't get into Fayetteville until about noon Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to seeing a great environment and looking forward to seeing them take on Alabama," James said. "Arkansas is a tough team. I saw how they played against Texas A&M. They weren't quitting. They weren't backing down."
James and teammate Bryan Jones, an Ole Miss defensive end commitment, visited Fayetteville in June. That's when the Hogs extended an offer to James, whose father said he is excited to see the Razorbacks in action.
"He loves Arkansas," James said. "He's always liked Arkansas for some reason. He said when he was growing, he used to watch them."
Receivers coach Michael Smith is Arkansas' lead recruiter for James, but he's also communicating with Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema and defensive line coach Rory Segrest. The coaches have also stayed in contact with James' parents.
"Basically my mom and dad really want to meet the coaches," he said. "Throughout the recruiting process, [the Arkansas coaches] have been on me hard -- talking to me every day, talking to my parents. I'm 17 and they know it's a big decision, so basically they want to talk to the coaches and get more acquitted and put a face with a name."
James' parents are impressed with Arkansas' coaches including them in the recruiting process.
"My mom and dad feel like that shows they really care about the kids they're recruiting and shows they're really interested in me being a Razorback," James said.
James also said he plans to make official visits to Kansas, Indiana State, Cincinnati and Memphis. If his trip to Fayetteville goes well, there's a chance James could leave as a Hog.
"I could see myself being a Razorback," James said.
On his first trip to Arkansas, James said he was impressed with the family atmosphere. He said the school he chooses must have good team chemistry.
"Because with me growing up, it's always been about family," James said. "If I step out of line and with my mom and dad not being there, I need a coach that will put me in line."
He said he also desires teammates that look out for one another.
"I had to look out for my little brother," James said. "I had to make sure he wasn't doing wrong. I just want to set an example for my little brother."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 10/04/2016