RB DEVWAH WHALEY ready to play, despite hurricane damage, flooding at hometown.

FAYETTEVILLE — Devwah Whaley has more on his mind than making his first start for the Arkansas Razorbacks tonight against Florida A&M.

The sophomore tailback is from Beaumont, Texas, which has been pelted by an estimated 48 inches of rain the past few days because of Hurricane Harvey, including 26 on Tuesday.

Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema said some of Whaley’s family members are among thousands in the Houston area who have been forced to leave their homes due to flooding. Bielema said Whaley’s family is staying with other family members.

“I brought him in today just to make sure everything’s OK with where his mind is at,” Bielema said Wednesday. “He assured me everything’s good, and he’s ready to rock and roll.

“He’ll do everything he can to honor his family by the way he plays, I’m sure.”

Bielema is confident Whaley, who rushed 110 times for 602 yards and 3 touchdowns last season, won’t be distracted tonight.

“He’s a very mature young man,” Bielema said. “I think that’s why he had success a year ago. Obviously because of his physical skills, but also his demeanor, his personality. The same thing holds true now, I think.”

Arkansas has other players from the Houston area, including defensive lineman Jonathan Marshall, defensive back Ryder Lucas, running back Connor McPherson and linebacker Brandon DePrato.

“Our kids, their concerns obviously are always with their loved ones,” Bielema said. “It’s just a lot of things to navigate through. As a head coach, obviously anything I can do, we’re going to do that. But your first priority it always your kids here and their families.”