Devwah Whaley, who has strong ties to Bermuda, has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks over several other colleges including Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs.

The 6ft 209-pound running back, the son of former local middle-distance runner Devoe Whaley, agreed to join the No 24-ranked Arkansas at this month’s Under Armour All-America game in Orlando.

Whaley, 18, said he felt Arkansas was the “perfect fit” and believes their coaching staff can help him realise his dreams of reaching the NFL.

“I felt like it was the best place for me,” Whaley said. “It was the best fit all-round with a great coaching staff. That’s the place for me to earn my degree and get to the next level.”

Whaley had originally committed to the Bulldogs before having a change of heart and join to Arkansas instead. He is Arkansas’s second-highest ranked recruit, trailing McTelvin Agim, a defensive end and No 50 overall recruit.

Whaley is the No 119 overall recruit, No 4-ranked running back and the No 18 recruit in the state of Texas.

The Razorbacks were keen to acquire Whaley’s services to beef up a backfield likely to lose running backs Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams to the NFL.

Whaley has a chance to compete for early playing time as a freshman which is believed to have heavily influenced his decision to join Arkansas.

He rushed 230 times for 1,530 yards and 21 touchdowns this season as a senior at Central High School in Texas.

Whaley made history after becoming the school’s first player to be invited to compete in the Under Armour All-American game at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

The star-studded exhibition match was televised live on ESPN2.

Tom Foreman, Central’s coach, believes Whaley is among the most talented players he has coached, including Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, Texas cornerback Deon Beasley and Lamar University’s wide receiver Mark Roberts.

“When I first got here I received criticism for comparing him to some of the best players I’ve ever coached, like Earl Thomas, Deon Beasley and Mark Roberts,” he said.

“But I think I was accurate. He has the ‘it’ factor and his talent has always shown through. This was expected and now he’s reaping the benefits of his hard work.”

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.

He also an accomplished triple jumper, regularly competed for Central High School, and was also named in Bermuda’s squad for the 2014 Carifta Games in Martinique but withdrew because of school commitments.