THE RECRUITING GUY

Alabama safety, top UA target, sets official visit

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Arkansas assistant coach Rory Segrest speaks to his defense Saturday, April 23, 2016, during the annual spring Red-White game in Razorback Stadium. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs from the game.

Arkansas will host one of its major targets for the 2017 class when safety J'Marick Woods comes to Fayetteville for an official visit this weekend.

The Hogs have worked hard to get Woods, a Michigan commitment, to Fayetteville. His lead recruiter is defensive line coach Rory Segrest who, along with Coach Bret Bielema and defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads, have been talking to him.

Woods, of Florence, Ala., 6-4, 205 and 4.6 seconds for the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from schools such as Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Vanderbilt, Duke, Penn State and others.

He, his parents, sister and brother are expected to arrive in Fayetteville on Saturday morning.

"I really just want to see what Arkansas has to offer," Woods said. "I think it's going to be real nice because they'll show me everything. I'm going to be able to get that feel."

ESPN rates him a four-star prospect and the No. 21 safety in the nation. He had 61 tackles, 4 interceptions and 6 blocked punts as a junior.

"The main thing is opportunities," Woods said of what he desires in a school. "The opportunity to play. The opportunity to excel on the field and off the field and in the classroom. Wherever I can set myself up for the future."

Woods knows Bielema puts a premium on recruiting prospects with good character.

"He talks about all the programs Arkansas has to offer and how they can develop me into a man -- not just a football player, but a man in general -- and they can prepare me for life," he said.

Woods also plans an official visit to Michigan, but he's not ready to reveal others.

"Right now, Arkansas is getting an official visit and Michigan for sure, and the other three are up for grabs," Woods said. "I kind of have them in my head, but I don't want to say."

He and Segrest have been talking for some time.

"He and I had a long talk when I was like in the 10th grade, going into the 11th," Woods said. "He's been talking to me and keeping in touch, and when coach Rhoads was hired he immediately reached out to me and we were having conversations. Coach Bielema, too. He reached out to me. They call me every week and text me on Twitter and tell me good luck on the games. They definitely do their jobs in recruiting me."

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

Sports on 10/07/2016