Former Arkansas and Memphis quarterback Taylor Reed is transferring to Central Arkansas.
“It’s official! I will be a #BEAR next season!” Reed posted on his Twitter account Thursday night. “Looking forward to starting a new chapter!”
Reed, from El Dorado, started nine games at Memphis as a freshman in 2011, completing 169 of 295 passes for 1,690 yards, 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. After Memphis Coach Larry Porter was fired, Reed, 6-3, 215 pounds, transferred to Arkansas last year and redshirted.
Reed, who led El Dorado to three consecutive Class 6A state championship games and two titles in a row, will have three years of eligibility remaining. He is expected to compete for the backup quarterback position with junior Ryan Howard as senior Wynrick Smothers returns for his second season as the Bears’ starter.
- Jeremy Muck
COLLEGE BASKETBALL Watkins to walk on at Arkansas
Former Fayetteville High School guard Manuale Watkins, the son of Arkansas assistant coach Melvin Watkins, has enrolled at the UA and joined the Razorbacks as a walk-on.
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson confirmed Watkins’ addition to the team Thursday during a radio interview.
Watkins was set to sign with Missouri State this spring, but shortly before a planned ceremony at Fayetteville he changed his mind, leading to speculation he might walk on at Arkansas.
Watkins, 6-3, averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds per game as a senior to help Fayetteville to a 26-4 record and runner-up finish to North Little Rock at the Class 7A state tournament.
- Bob Holt
GOLF Play suspended at ASGA Stroke Play
The first round of the Arkansas State Golf Association Stroke Play Championship was suspended Thursday because of darkness at Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith.
Bad weather across the region caused play to be suspended twice for about 3½ hours. ASGA officials suspended play at 8:25 p.m. with 11 groups left on the course. The conclusion of the first round will resume at 7:30 this morning with players teeing off in the senior division at 8.
Matt Johnson of Little Rock was the leader in the clubhouse with an even-par 70. Three others - Conley Hurst and Alex Hewitt, both of Little Rock, and Bryon Shumate of Fort Smith - are a shot behind at 71.
Defending champion Wes McNulty of White Hall was at 4 under through 17 holes. McNulty a five-time champion of the event had birdies at Nos. 2, 3 and 6 to go out the front nine at 32. He moved to 5 under after a birdie at the par-3 15th, but a bogey on the 16th put him back at 4 under.
Seth Garner of Hot Springs was 1 under through 11 holes
Patrick Lee of Centerton leads the Mid-Senior Division after shooting a 1-over 71. Bob Brooks of Bella Vista fired a 1-under 69 to lead the Senior Division with Oscar Taylor’s 4-over 74 leading the Super Seniors.
Tracy Harris had a hole in one at the par-3, 160-yard second hole on his way to a 4-over 74.
Sports, Pages 26 on 05/31/2013