Interview: Arkansas 2016 RB Commit Devwah Whaley Updates Visit to Fayetteville

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Life has an odd and sometimes very fortuitous way of working out. For the Arkansas Razorbacks, a change at the head coaching position at the University of Georgia bumped Mark Richt out of Athens and to Miami and brought over then Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as the Bulldogs new head coach. The change at the helm turned out to be a blessing for the Arkansas coaching staff leading Texas running back Devwah Whaley to decommit from Georgia ultimately siding with the Razorbacks. Now Whaley has emerged as a top Hog helping recruit other top players in the 2016 class to Fayetteville.

The Beaumont Central High School talent is exactly what Arkansas needed heading into the 2016 season. Whaley, 6’0”, 210 pounds, made a big recruiting splash during his junior season rushing for 1,305 yards off 182 carries with 12 touchdowns. He followed that up with a tremendous senior campaign rushing for over 1,700 yards off 230 carries with 23 scores. In the process he was named an Under Armour All-American and is widely considered a Top 5 running back in the nation. With All-SEC running back Alex Collins leaving the Arkansas program at the end of the 2015 season as an early NFL entry, the door is wide open for Whaley to compete not only for early playing time but he could also work his way into being a starter for the Razorbacks as a true freshman.

Arkansas landing Whaley was not just as simple as beating out Georgia for the talented back, but won out over 20 other programs that extended offers. Among the many included Alabama, Baylor, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Ole Miss, Houston, Arizona State, Missouri, Miami, and Mississippi State.

Whaley committed to the Hogs on Jan. 2 and has now become an effective recruiter along with commits McTelvin Agim (defensive tackle) and Jordan Jones (wide receiver). Over the weekend Arkansas hosted several highly regarded recruits with Whaley, Agim, and Jones each paying their own way to Fayetteville to help pitch their peers on an Arkansas program trending towards an SEC West title.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Whaley after his trip to Fayetteville to get the inside scoop on Arkansas’ big weekend and caught up on his offseason workouts before he heads to Arkansas.

Interview

Devwah, you had an outstanding senior season rushing for over 1,700 yards. Are you pleased with how you performed during your senior season?

“Yeah I was pleased. We didn’t go as far as I thought we should have gone but we had a pretty good season. I had a pretty good season individually. We had a young offensive line, only one starter returning. As the season progressed they got better.”

What was your progression on the field from your junior to senior year?

“My speed, my explosiveness, and my vision all got better. I was a better all-around back during my senior year.”

You have great breakaway speed. What is the best time you’ve turned in running the 40-yard dash?

“I ran a 4.45 over the summer. I was working out with some trainers and friends. They had an electric timed machine and I ran a 4.45.”

For those readers that may not have seen you play, how would you describe your skill set as a running back?

“Balanced. I’m able to make one-cut and hit the hole, I can run over you, I can run around you or away from you, and I can make a move to make you miss. I think balance is important to being an all-round back.”

You were an Under Armour All-American announcing your commitment to Arkansas on national television. How was the total Under Armour-All American Game experience for you?

“It was awesome. It was a great experience. It was fun being put to a challenge and being tested against the best in the nation. You’re the top dog where you are at, but they were all top dogs at the Under Armour All-American Game.”

Is there a moment from the practices to the game from the Under Amour events that you will remember for the rest of your life?

“I’ll remember everything. It was awesome, every moment was a great experience. It was a once in a lifetime event and it was a blessing.”

I’m sure you have been asked this a million times, but what drew you to commit to Arkansas? What did you like about the Razorbacks program?

“Everything. I loved the feel that I got, the home feel, when I was there. The feeling of being loved, the brotherhood. I feel like that is the best place to be for me. I love the coaching staff and the fans.”

You went up to Fayetteville this weekend to help recruit players for Arkansas. What was your motivation for going up there and what was your pitch to the recruits?

“I wanted to talk to the other recruits and tell them why this is a great place and why they should come there for college. I also wanted to hang out with the coaches and players to get to know them better and have fun.”

In your opinion, do you think all of the recruits enjoyed their visit in Fayetteville?

“All of them had a good time and enjoyed the experience.”

Was there one or more recruits that were uncommitted that you recruited hard over the weekend?

“No. I talked to all of them. Jordan, McTelvin, and I, we did our job.”

Are there any recruits that you are messaging or calling throughout the week to try to get them to Arkansas?

“No, I’m not.”

You participate in track for Beaumont Central right?

“Yes.”

Which events?

“The 4×1, open 100, long jump, triple jump, and shotput.”

What is your best time in the 100?

“10.6”

What are you aiming to run this year?

“I want at least a 10.4 but I’d be happy with a 10.5.”

What do you think you need to run to make state?

“A 10.3 or a 10.4. I might not do track all season and focus more on the long jump.”

Is long jump your best event?

“No, the triple jump was my best. But since I’ve gained weight the pounding on my knees is not good.”

What other offseason workouts are you doing to prepare for when you report to Arkansas?

“Right now I’m lifting and running. That’s pretty much it. After Signing Day, they’ll send out the workouts they want me to do.”

I like to ask about how things are going in the classroom. Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a 3.1.”

Do you remember what you got on your ACT or SAT?

“No. I qualified my junior year but I can’t remember the score.”

Devwah, thanks for your time tonight and good luck with recruiting others to Arkansas.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Whaley at Arkansas.

Photo credit: rivals.com; Whaley commits to Arkansas on ESPN.

Photo credit: Jordan Jones; Jordan Jones (left) with Devwah Whaley (right) at Arkansas.