A previous relationship has Arkansas in the race for highly regarded junior college receiver Malik Heath, who’s looking to visit the Hogs soon.
The Razorbacks extended a scholarship offer to Heath on Tuesday.
“That was a big surprise to get them today,” Heath said. “I was really happy.”
Heath, 6-4, 210 pounds of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Mississippi, signed with Mississippi State in February, but learned in July he had to go to junior college.
He’s known Arkansas wide receivers graduate assistant Kelvin Bolden since the ninth grade.
“I know coach KB,” Heath said. “He and I are real close. We’ve kept in touch.”
Heath, a 2020 prospect, said he and Bolden have a tight bond.
“He and I got close,” Heath said. “He knew I was going JUCO and we just kept in touch and he found a liking for me. He’s a great guy. He understands you as a player.”
He has 28 receptions for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns for the 6-3 Wolves, ranked 16th nationally. Heath is eyeing Arkansas’ game against LSU on Nov. 10 for a visit.
Heath, who also holds offers from Mississippi State, Memphis and Florida, played at Callaway High School in Jackson before attending Copiah-Lincoln. He was an ESPN 4-star prospect, the No. 22 receiver and No. 156 overall prospect in the nation for the 2018 class.
He likes the Arkansas offense.
“Everybody knows they have a good running game and they have a good receivers,” he said.