Coley commits to Hogs

Miami (Fla.) Northwestern safety De'Andre Coley has committed to Bret Bielema and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Coley, 6-1, 185, 4.4, picked up an offer from the Hogs earlier this week when linebackers coach Randy Shannon visited his school. The defensive back flew under the radar for most of his recruiting process, but chose Arkansas over offers from Cincinnati, TCU, Jackson State and Northern Colorado on his last day in Fayetteville.

"It's a great school to me," Coley said. "I feel like it's a perfect fit for me, not just football-wise but education-wise. Coach Shannon was telling me good things about the school and the education, and it's just a good school for me. It's the right fit."

Northwestern High defensive coordinator Luther Campbell said Shannon noticed Coley's potential when he visited the school last summer.

"When Coach wasn't working, you know, Coach Shannon and I have a great relationship," Campbell said. "I've been studying with him for years, so he came out a couple of times in the summer. He saw some of the guys while we were working, and he saw Coley and just fell in love with him, his work ethic and everything.

Campbell believes the Razorbacks got a steal with Coley's commitment.

"He's one of my great kids. He's a great, great kid," Campbell said of Coley. "His attitude is great and he gets in the classroom and does what he needs to do. He's very, very quiet. He's a student of the game and his IQ is real high. He loves to come up and hit people in the mouth."

Arkansas plans to use Coley at safety. The Hogs have two other safeties on this year's commit list in Alex Brignoni of Fayetteville (Ark.) and Tiquention Coleman, who transferred in from Georgia Military College earlier this month.