FAYETTEVILLE — The winter storm that struck Tuesday postponed Fayetteville’s football signing ceremony, but snow and cold temperatures didn’t keep four Bulldogs from signing on the dotted line Wednesday.
Fayetteville quarterback Brandon Allen and wide receiver Demetrius Dean made their pledges to Arkansas by signing letters of intent with the Razorbacks.
Fayetteville running back Dylan Hale signed with Arkansas Tech, where he will join his brother, Josh, also a former Bulldog. Josh Hale was a freshman wide receiver for the Wonder Boys last year.
Wide receiver Chris Smith also signed with Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla.
Fayetteville’s signing ceremony has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday in the football fieldhouse. Dean wasn’t too disappointed about the postponement.
“I didn’t have any clothes picked out, anyway,” Dean said, chuckling. “This will give me more time.”
Fayetteville defensive end Devin Bowers is also waiting to sign. He’s considering Grambling (La.) State, Pittsburg (Kan.) State and Missouri State in Springfield, Mo.
“We are awfully excited for all these young men who have the opportunity to continue their football careers and most importantly continue their education and get a degree,” Fayetteville football coach Daryl Patton said. “It’s a great opportunity for these young men.”
Allen and Dean committed to the Razorbacks more than a year ago and felt good about their decisions.
“It’s a quarterback’s dream to play in (Arkansas coach) Bobby Petrino’s offense,” said Allen, whose father Bobby Allen coaches the Razorbacks’ interior defensive linemen.
The 6-foot-2, 214-pound signal caller led the Bulldogs to the Class 7A State Championship Game as a senior and threw for 98 touchdowns and more than 10,071 yards in his career.
Allen completed 245 of 380 passes for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns this past season. He didn’t throw an interception during the regular season.
Allen wrote his name all over the Fayetteville record book, setting new career standards in eight categories.
“I’m excited about Brandon playing in (Petrino’s) offense,” Patton said. “He is a winner. I think we are going to see some great things coming from Brandon and the UA in the future.”
Allen said he’s not thinking much about the Razorbacks right now. He has too much going on at Fayetteville.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to go and play, but right now, I’m concentrating on basketball and am looking forward to baseball season,” Allen said.
Arkansas’ coaches haven’t spoken to him yet about whether he will redshirt as a freshman.
“I’m just going to go in and see what happens,” Allen said. “They really haven’t told me anything for sure. So, I guess, we’ll see.”
Dean (6-3, 260) played receiver for the Bulldogs, but said he expects to move to tight end/H-back for the Razorbacks.
“On my recruiting trip, I was with the receivers group, but we talked about playing tight end,” Dean said. “It may be a little of both. They run a lot of plays for their tight end, so I think it’ll be a good thing.
“Blocking those big guys will be an adjustment, but I’m not scared. I’ll mix it up.”
Dean caught 33 passes for 422 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He shares Fayetteville all-time touchdown reception record of 31 with former Bulldog Gionni Harris.
“When Demetrius gets over there in Arkansas’ weight room, he’s going to grow and mature,” Patton said. “His best football is still ahead of him. He has great hands, and I think he’ll make a very good tight end/fullback in their offense.”
Dean said he’s excited his high school quarterback will join him at Arkansas.
“We’ve already got a good relationship, playing together for three years,” Dean said of Allen. “Maybe, he’ll throw it to me more.”
Hale (5-11, 205) will go from breaking tackles for the Bulldogs to making them for the Wonder Boys.
“They are going to play me at a hybrid linebacker/safety spot,” Hale said. “I’ve never really played defense, but I like contact. I’m ready to go out there and knock the crap out of someone.”
Hale had 27 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns to go along with four catches for 33 yards and one touchdown last season.
“Dylan had three or four schools recruiting him, but with his brother, a Tech, that’s where he wanted to be,” Patton said. “I think Tech got a great steal in getting Dylan.”
Hale said he hopes to room with his older brother.
“We’ve been on a million teams together growing up, so I know it’s going to be fun,” Hale said. “I know a lot of guys from Fayetteville and Farmington that are at Tech, so I’m excited to go there.”
Smith chose Northeastern State over Pittsburg State because of its offense.
“(Northeastern State) throws the ball more,” Smith said. “Their offense is more open.”
Smith made 53 catches for 758 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bulldogs last season.
“Chris was recruited by some D-I and D-2 schools,” Patton said. “I think he will go over there and have a really solid career.”