Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas State football coach Gus Malzahn announced Wednesday the signing of David Oku, a running back who played at Tennessee for two years after highlighting former coach Lane Kiffin's 2009 signing class.

Coming out of Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., Oku was rated as the nation's No. 1 all-purpose back in 2009 by Rivals.com. Oku set school records during his freshman year, running 33 kickoff returns and 863 kickoff return yards in a single season. That season, the only one coached by Kiffin, Oku posted games with 100 or more yards returned against Ole Miss and Memphis.

Oku's second year with coach Derek Dooley wasn't so bright and in early 2011, he left the team. His time in Knoxville became further complicated after being arrested on domestic assault charges last summer after his girlfriend told officers Oku pushed her to the ground while disputing payment of a utility bill.

Malzahn says Oku is already enrolled in classes at ASU. After sitting out last season, Oku should be eligible for play in 2012.