Is 2015 DT Hjalte Froholdt the Next Bjoern Werner?

Around five years ago, Hjalte Froholdt was introduced to the game of football in Denmark on a grass field that hadn't been cut in months. Today, he's one of the nation's top prep defensive linemen and bound for Arkansas next fall.

His journey from Europe to big-time college football eerily mirrors that of German-born Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Bjoern Werner.

Hjalte, which is pronounced YELL-da, recalls that first practice was with "three or four players." Despite not having access to many resources, there were benefits of having to learn the game at warp speed.

"We put on some way oversized equipment because their club didn't have anything else," Froholdt told Bleacher Report. "We got taught the fundamentals because we had some great coaches. We pretty much were taught everything because it wasn't like you just play offensive line or defensive line. Over there, you play everything because you had to play where you were needed."

Froholdt didn't start playing football until he was 12, but it didn't take long for him to develop dreams of coming to play in America as a foreign exchange student.  By the time he was a sophomore, he was granted the opportunity to come to the United States for school and football.

He landed at Harding High School in football-crazy Warren, Ohio.  He figured that playing sports would help ease his transition and help him make friends, and he hoped to kick-start his career by earning reps on the junior varsity squad.  

Instead, by the sixth game of the season, Froholdt had locked down the starting jobs at tight end, defensive end and as the team's punter. It was at that point that he realized playing football in college was a realistic possibility.

"Halfway through the season, my coaches told me that I would probably have a bright future ahead of me in this sport," Froholdt said. "I think that was like around the sixth game. That's when a few college coaches starting contacting me and wanting to know who I was."

While his success brought the attention of colleges, another curveball was on the horizon after his sophomore season.

A rule preventing exchange students from competing in sports for two consecutive seasons in the same state meant Froholdt had to head back home to Denmark for his junior season.

Instead of sitting idle for a year, Hjalte got back to his roots in his home country.

"I was very fortunate because when I came back home to Denmark, we moved to a bigger city so that I could play with the best team in Denmark," Froholdt said. "I played with the seniors this past year—seniors meaning 19- to 25-year-olds pretty much. So I played with them and the senior national team and started as a defensive tackle. We played against Austria, France and Sweden."

After a successful stint back home, Froholdt—who committed to Arkansas in December of 2013 over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan and Ohio State among others—had his sights set on a return to the U.S. for his senior season.

His search for a new home led him to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a budding prep powerhouse currently playing its second season of high school football. 

Ascenders head coach Chris Weinke—a former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner—knew exactly what he was getting when the 6'4", 282-pounder arrived on campus in the summer.

"The initial reaction is that he's a physical specimen," Weinke said. "We were well aware of him and his commitment to Arkansas, so we were excited about him. I think the one thing we saw with him early on is that we still thought there was an upside to him."

Given that this is only his second year playing competitive football in the U.S., one would assume that Froholdt would be a raw talent whose technique might hold him back—especially in one of the most talent-laden hotbeds in the country, just south of the Tampa area.

"One of the things we felt that he was gifted athletically," Weinke said. "We didn't necessarily know that he was fundamentally sound. We felt like if he got him in this structure and continued to coach him up, he could become an impact player."

It hasn't taken long for Weinke's theory has come to fruition.

Despite a thumb injury suffered in the first game of the season that has caused him to miss one game—coincidentally, the only loss of the season for IMG—and play with a club on his hand, Froholdt has turned in a strong season through eight games.

He's been a disruptive force in the middle of the Ascenders defense, having racked up 55 tackles—including 12 for loss—with seven sacks and two forced fumbles through nine games, according to MaxPreps. 

Given that Werner—who played only two years of prep football before heading to Florida State—had a similar journey and played along the defensive line in college, his example is the blueprint for Froholdt.

"Of course, he's an inspiration for me because he showed that it really doesn't matter where you are from if you have the ability and the work ethic and you are willing to put everything you have into it, then you will get success," Froholdt said. 

Weinke—a former Seminole great who is familiar with Werner from following the 'Noles program in recent years—said that his star pupil and the current Colts star share certain traits on the field, with one noticeable difference.

"I think when you look at their body types, Hjalte is a bigger, thicker guy," Weinke said. "Obviously, Bjoern is going to make his money coming off the edge. I think Hjalte can do that, but he's got more of a body type to play inside. They are similar in their work ethic and approach in how they don't take a play off."

With his high school career winding down to its close, Froholdt is excited to continue his career in Fayetteville, in arguably the toughest division in college football. 

While Froholdt is set to enter the SEC perhaps lighter on playing experience in comparison to his peers, Weinke believes he has all the necessary tools to become an impact player at Arkansas.

"He causes havoc," Weinke said. "He has an outstanding work ethic. He's one of the leaders on our team. I truly believe he will be an impact player at the next level. He's big, strong and quick. He has a high football IQ. He's been a great leader on our defense. We've been obviously very fortunate to have him on our football team."

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani