University of Arkansas freshman running back Isaiah Augustave only needed an official visit to Fayetteville to know where wanted to play his college football. The 6-2 and 208-pound Augustave, who was named SEC freshman of the week after rushing 101 yards on 14 carries in the Hogs’ 44-20 victory over Florida International after Raheim Sanders (shoulder) and Rashod Dubinion (knee) went down with season-ending injuries, was won over by Razorback running backs coach Jimmy Smith during the recruiting process.

University of Arkansas freshman running back Isaiah Augustave only needed an official visit to Fayetteville to know where wanted to play his college football.

The 6-2 and 208-pound Augustave, who was named SEC freshman of the week after rushing 101 yards on 14 carries in the Hogs’ 44-20 victory over Florida International, was won over by Razorback running backs coach Jimmy Smith during the recruiting process.

Rick Martin, the head coach at Naples High School in Florida, his girlfriend and Naples running backs coach Manny Morgan accompanied Augustave on his official visit to Arkansas in June before his senior season. Martin saw firsthand the bond Smith and his prized running back shared.

“That was just the relationship that he had created with Jimmy,” Martin said. “I didn’t understand it until we went on his official visit and finally got to meet Jimmy and got to hang out with him and then I understood completely.”

Augustave, who recorded 10.79 seconds in the 100 meters in the spring, also had official visits set to Florida State and Duke.

“He said he didn’t want to go on any other visits,” Martin said. “He said I just want to go to Arkansas.”

Unlike most prospects, Augustave didn’t care for all the attention that recruiting brought.

“He didn’t like all of that unlike some of the other guys that I’ve been around, they loved it,” Martin said. “They loved all of the attention and the guys blowing smoke. That kind of stuff. Whatever you want to call it.”

Augustave informed Martin he wanted to commit to the Hogs prior to the official visit to Fayetteville and followed through with it by telling Coach Sam Pittman of his pledge.

“I’ve been coaching for 22 years and one of the coolest experiences of my life was being in Coach Pittman’s office and he was asking how everything was and Zai just said ‘I’m ready to commit’ and Coach Pittman was like ‘What? To us?’.”

Augustave picked Arkansas over scholarship offers from Florida State, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Missouri, Louisville, Utah and other schools.

He rushed for 950 yards and 16 touchdowns on 109 carries as a junior and went for 1,061 yards and 11 touchdowns on 110 rushes as a senior while sharing carries with current North Carolina State freshman running back Kendrick Raphael.

He was a consensus 3-star prospect when he pledged to the Hogs but was later elevated to 4-star status by ESPN and 247Sports with his play as a senior, which earned him a spot in the prestigious Under Armour All-American game along with Hogs freshman tight end Luke Hasz.

Smith made Augustave a priority after getting a call from former Naples offensive coordinator Paul Horne, who had coached with Smith in an All Star game.

“He said ‘Hey look man, we got this kid down here that is being crazy overlooked,’ ” Martin said. “Everybody wants the other guy. No disrespect to the other guy. I’m telling you, this is the one you want. Like this kid is the real deal’.”

While Arkansas fans saw a glimpse of Augustave’s talent and physicality when he rushed 4 times for 20 yards in the season-opener against Western Carolina, his showing against Florida International gave fans a better idea of his ability.

His 350-pound bench press, 405 squat and 295 power clean in high school along with his size and speed gave defenders fits in trying to tackle him.

“He was always a huge weight room guy,” Martin said. “He left our place with a 1,000-pound three-lift total. He was just a super strong guy.”

Morgan isn’t surprised by Augustave’s physical play.

“That’s what we preach at Naples, is to be a violent runner,” Morgan said. “When you talk about his overall ability you saw it, he’s big, fast, powerful, had vision, and can make a guy miss and make plays happen, that’s what you look for in a running back someone that can do it all.”

Martin, who communicates with Augustave on a weekly basis, recalls a run against Miami Killian during his senior season that didn’t end well for the defender.

“He met this dude in the hole and he absolutely killed him,” Martin said. “I think he literally ran over him. He might of stepped on his chest on the way to the end zone.”

Smith couldn’t get enough of the play.

“He had that play in his office,” Martin said. “He would rewind it and play it for me and he would rewind it and play.”

Martin said he is proud of Augustave.

“He’s a great kid, he works his tail off,” Martin said. “I think it’s important for people to know that too. He’s a better person than he is on the field. He’s a great human being.”

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com