The term “beast” is often overused in our football lexicon. When it comes to McTelvin “Sosa” Agim, however, the moniker might be appropriate.

The five-star recruit hasn’t officially signed his letter-of-intent with Arkansas. But that appears to be a mere formality for the Hope, Ark., native — who some prognosticators say could be the best recruit in program history — as Agim is already in pads and running drills for the Razorbacks.

It’s only a matter of time before the defensive end is doing this to some hapless opponent…

HE MIGHT BE ONE OF THE BEST

Agim is considered the No. 18 overall prospect in the nation, No. 1 in the state of Arkansas and No. 2 overall at the strong-side defensive end position. He becomes the first five-star recruit to choose the Razorbacks since ESPN began doling out stars to prep athletes seven years ago.

HE’S GOT THE GREAT STATS TO MATCH THE GREAT NAME

If Agim pans out, you’ll be hearing fans yell “Sosa!” about as often as you hear “woo pig” bellowed on campus.

Agim registered 38 sacks that last two seasons, including 72.5 tackles (26 for a loss) as a senior. His effort earned him a slew of accolades, including Under Armour All-American status, Sports Illustrated’s High School Athlete of the Month honors, as well as Gatorade’s Player of the Year recognition for the state of Arkansas.

He was stellar on both sides of the ball, rushing for 9 touchdowns and an average of 50 yards per kick return.

HE WAS ONCE HOMELESS

Agim hails from Hope, Ark., a city of 10,000 tucked away in a southwest corner of the state. Hope has lived up to its name, despite some bleak living conditions, giving rise as the former stomping grounds of President Bill Clinton and ex-governor Mike Huckabee. Now it’s Agim looking to sculpt a new life for himself away from his roots some 230 miles north in Fayetteville. Agim uses his upbringing — which included a stint living in a Salvation Army — as a constant motivator. One of those constants was his grandmother, who helped raise him, despite her own debilitating diabetes that robbed her of her legs and eyesight. “She just showed me everybody has to work,” Agim said of his grandmother via 247Sports. “She was able to do what she did and she wasn’t even full body. She was working with what she had and made sure we all had food to eat and things like that. She showed us how to survive.”

 

HE’S SMART AND HAS A NEW HOME IN FAYETTEVILLE

Agim has already graduated from Hope High School, doing so with a 3.8 GPA. He’s already signed his Financial Aid Agreement with Arkansas and has taken part in several practices leading up to the Arkansas’ Liberty Bowl matchup with Kansas State. “She was high on education,” Agim said via 247Sports of his grandmother. “She always made sure our grades were good. My grandmother also believed if you do anything do your best, be the best burger flipper if that’s what you’re doing. If you’re going to do something, why not do your best.”

HE HAS THE BEST FANS

Agim has already made a lasting first impression upon some of the Hogs’ most-faithful fans, making some lifelong fans in the process.