FAYETTEVILLE — The banner 2019 Arkansas football recruiting class now includes a tailback.
Phenix City, Ala., Central star A’Montae Spivey (6-1, 200 pounds) became the Razorbacks’ 18th pledge Monday when he chose Arkansas over LSU, Purdue, Cincinnati and others.
“It’s just the program and the way Coach Morris has it going right now and the guys he is getting,” Spivey said of why he committed. “I also really like the coaches as a unit.”
Spivey, who rushed 74 times for for 994 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, is part of an Arkansas recruiting class that is ranked 16th in the Rivals team rankings and 21st in the composite rankings by 247 Sports.
“It is amazing,” Spivey said. “People are saying we could be the best class to ever come through Arkansas and we could change the program with the recruiting class we have.”
Arkansas was the first to offer Spivey on March 2. He visited the Fayetteville campus unofficially with his mother, Lateisha, for four days in June.
Missouri offered soon afterward and LSU gave Spivey his 13th FBS offer in June. Central quarterback Peter Parrish is an LSU commit.
“LSU was a big deal with them being who they are,” Spivey said. “It would be a big deal for any recruit so I had to think about it and talk to my family, pray about it and think about it, but I just feel like Arkansas is the right decision for me.”
Spivey, who split time last season with his older brother and Mississippi Valley State signee Jamaar Spivey, has been recorded at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
“I feel confident in my speed and what I can do with it if I break loose,” Spivey said. “I am just working on staying healthy mostly so I can be productive.”
Arkansas running backs coach Jeff Traylor was Spivey’s chief recruiter.
“Coach Traylor is an awesome guy,” Spivey said. “He relates to you really well and anytime I need anything he will call me. We have never had the loss of a relationship. He has just always been there since he started recruiting me.”