The Recruiting Guy

Danish UA commitment faces D-I talent at IMG

Defensive linemen Hjalte and Lars Froholdt represented Denmark in the 2014 Football European Championships. They also hope to play together at Arkansas. 
(Photo courtesy of Tina Carstensen www.tdph.dk)
Defensive linemen Hjalte and Lars Froholdt represented Denmark in the 2014 Football European Championships. They also hope to play together at Arkansas. (Photo courtesy of Tina Carstensen www.tdph.dk)

Arkansas defensive line commitment Hjalte Froholdt arrived Bradenton, Fla., from Denmark in late June to report to IMG Academy for his senior season.


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Former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke, the 2000 Hesiman Trophy winner, is the head coach at IMG, which has four offensive linemen committed to schools like Miami, Oregon State, Nebraska and Cincinnati.

Froholdt said his time at the school has been a good experience.

"There's a ton of competition," Froholdt said. "And I have to bring my A-game every day since I'm playing against a whole D-I bound offensive line."

Froholdt, 6-5, 290 pounds, orally committed to the Hogs in December after also receiving scholarship offers from Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and others.

IMG Academy will play at Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian on Sept. 5. Froholdt's older brother Lars will attend the game after traveling from Denmark. Both plan to drive Fayetteville the next day for the Nicholls State game.

"But that might just be an unofficial visit," Froholdt said. "I might take my official later this season or after."

Froholdt is wearing a cast on his left hand after suffering a ligament tear in practice. In July, he indicated he wanted to take his five allotted official visits, but is undecided if that will happen.

"Not sure yet," he said.

Lars Froholdt, a 6-1, 320 pound defensive lineman, took up football in April and plays club football in Denmark. The brothers represented Denmark in the Football European Championships against five other countries on May 30-June 7.

Lars Froholdt said he plans to visit Arkansas Tech and Abilene Christian while visiting the U.S. with hopes of enrolling in December.

Hjalte said he has spoken to Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith and defensive line coach Rory Segrest, and is looking forward to meeting them.

"They're great coaches," said Froholdt, who has also recently talked with Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema. "I've only heard good things about them, and our special teams coordinator here at IMG coached with Coach Smith before. So nothing but great expectations."

The roster at IMG has an international and domestic flavor.

"We got three Swedes, one Norwegian, a German and a couple of Canadians," Froholdt said, "and then people from like 15 different states."

Froholdt said his teammates have joked about his Danish background.

"Just that they're so sure that my ancestors were Vikings and probably raided villages," Froholdt said laughing.

Real ringer

Junction City tight end/defensive end JaMario Bell, an Arkansas commitment, said he has been looking forward to his senior season, but now he wouldn't mind having more time to savor things.

"I never thought it would get here this fast," Bell said. "I always wanted to rush it and hurry it up and get here, my senior year. It got here real fast on me."

He was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Super Sophomore team as a tight end after having 15 receptions for 249 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Dragons have won two consecutive Class 2A state titles.

"Help my team win another state championship and try and prepare myself every day and every game," Bell said of his goals for the season. "Every time I get a chance to get ready for college, get ready to play for Arkansas."

Bell measured 6-6 and weighed 228 pounds at the Dallas Nike Training Camp in April. He's up to 248 pounds going into the season opener against Smackover on Sept. 5.

"I got on the weights real hard," Bell said. "I guess I started eating a lot better."

He said he hopes to report to Arkansas in the 250-260 pound range. It hasn't been decided if Bell will play tight end or defensive end as a Razorback.

"They said they're going to wait until I get on campus and figure out then," he said.

DE Dean signs

Fort Smith Northside defensive end Daytrieon Dean said he plans to sign an athletic financial aid agreement with Arkansas at 3 p.m. today during a ceremony at the school.

Dean, 6-3, 255, 4.89 seconds in the 40-yard dash, committed to the Hogs on March 1 after also receiving scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Arkansas State. Oklahoma State also extended an offer after his pledge to the Razorbacks.

He'll become the third Arkansas prospect to sign such agreement that allows unlimited contact with the Razorbacks coaches. Charleston quarterback Ty Storey and offensive lineman Zach Rogers of Carrollton (Texas) Hebron signed earlier.

Date to decide date

North Little Rock receiver K.J. Hill, 6-1, 192, 4.42, will reveal a date when he plans to announce his college decision after tonight's scrimmage against Conway. The scrimmage is schedule to begin at 6 p.m.

E-mail Richard Davenport at [email protected]

Sports on 08/26/2014

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