It perhaps comes as no real surprise that Devwah Whaley’s ultimate goal is to one day showcase his talents in the NFL.

Ever since he was a youngster attending Dalton E Tucker Primary, the son of former local-middle distance runner Devoe Whaley has dreamed of making it to the big league.

“The ultimate goal is to get to the NFL,” Whaley, who is a senior at Central High School in Texas, said. “I have been playing football for my whole life since I was little. I just fell in love with it and have been playing ever since.”

The 6ft, 209lbs running back moved a step closer to his dream of playing when he committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks just before rushing for a game-high 47 yards on 12 carries in Team Highlight’s 27-0 victory over Team Armour in this month’s Under Armour All-American game at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. The exhibition match was televised live on ESPN2.

“It was a blessing and a very good experience,” he said.

Whaley, who is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, admits his team’s lopsided victory against their opponents, who were held to 120 total yards, caught him by surprise.

“I was surprised, but we worked hard all week,” he said.

Whaley is the first player from Central High School in Texas to be invited to play in the Under Armour All-American game, which marks the final stretch of the college recruiting cycle.

“Not many people get to experience that and it was just the ultimate blessing,” he said.

Whaley rushed 230 times for 1,530 yards and 21 touchdowns during his senior year at Central High School in Texas.

“I just love playing football and my first objective is getting the ball and going and score,” he said. “That’s the only thing I am worried about as soon as I touch the ball.”

Whaley is listed as the No 49 recruit in the 2016 class in the ESPN 300 and the No 3 running back. He is also the highest-ranked Arkansas running back recruit since the ESPN 300 listings began in 2006.

Whaley groomed his athletic skills in Bermuda playing various sports while attending primary and middle schools before moving to the United States.

“I attended Dalton E Tucker and Sandys Middle School and it was a great,” he said. “I did a lot of playing soccer, cricket and everything with the school and it was a great experience.”

Whaley will have his work cut competing for playing time as a freshman during the next college season. But while he admits his task will not be easy, the promising running back is up for the challenge.

“It’s a big step, yes,” he said. “But I will be ready.”