FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas continues to struggle on the field this season, but the Razorbacks still managed to add a key commitment despite last Saturday’s 54-24 home loss to Mississippi State.
Mike Harris, a 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back from Phenix City (Ala.) Central was one of four official visitors in town for the weekend and jumped on board with the Hogs on Sunday afternoon.
Harris, who is a former teammate of current Arkansas freshman running back A’Montae Spivey, is the 14th commitment for Chad Morris’s recruiting class of 2020.
“This feel like home,” Harris said. “And I can be with my brother, someone I’m comfortable being around.”
While Harris plays a true safety position at the high school level, the Razorbacks see him as a true cover man who could also play cornerback or Nickel, if needed.
Harris was recruited by cornerbacks coach Mark Smith and safeties coach Ron Cooper.
“They’re some great coaches,” Harris said. “I love them. I got a chance to talk to them, sit down with them and learn more about them. They like my speed and that I’m physical.”
Physical is an adequate way of describing Harris, whose highlight film is riddled with big hits against the state of Alabama’s top competition.
“My heart is bigger than my size,” Harris said. “Most people have size, but most people don’t have the heart to come down and hit someone. Every time I see someone with different jersey, it’s just fun for me to hit somebody.”
Spivey, who saw his first action of his freshman season against Mississippi State but will still be able to redshirt, played a big role in attracting Harris to Fayetteville.
“(Spivey) said it’s a great place to be, and it’s a safe place,” Harris said. “It’s a place that you are more likely to succeed because you don’t have any outside trouble around. He hosted me on the visit and showed me more of the city, outside of more than just football.”
While the Hogs’ record under Morris may not prove it, the Razorbacks still rank among the SEC’s best in terms of football facilities.
“Seeing the facilities was the highlight of my visit,” Harris said. “I always love seeing the facilities every time I go out on a visit.”
In addition to Harris, the Razorbacks hosted three other official visitors in offensive lineman Brady Ward of Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul’s Episcopal, wide receiver Connor O’Toole of Albuquerque (N.M.) La Cueva, and outside linebacker Aaron Moore of Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland.
The Hogs have been heavily involved with Ward for several months and are still in a solid position following his weekend trip to the Hill.
“I enjoyed it, I had a good time hanging out with all of the recruits and players,” Ward said. “I had a good time hanging out with the players last night. I enjoyed the game. It was pretty much what I expected, a little bit more. I enjoyed it a little more than I thought I would. I like it a lot more than I did before I came here.”
Arkansas will host at least one official visitor for the Western Kentucky game later this week when big-time safety target Donovan Johnson makes the trip from Harvey (La.) Helen Cox.
Johnson, 6-2, 190, has been committed to Virginia since June 16 but also holds offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Miami and many others.
The Hogs could add more official visitors throughout the week.
Arkansas’ home game against former Razorback quarterback Ty Storey and the Hilltoppers is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday and will be televised by the SEC Network.