National signing day is still a go despite the latest round of winter weather.
Bentonville tight end Jack Kraus and Springdale Har-Ber defensive end Jake Hall will sign with Arkansas today, while Har-Ber defensive tackle Josh Frazier will ink with Alabama.
The trio headlines a Northwest Arkansas football signing class that includes six players slated to sign with FBS schools, including Har-Ber offensive lineman Isaac Johnson (Tulsa), Fayetteville cornerback Jordan Dennis (Tulsa) and Rogers High linebacker Zack Wary (Wake Forest).
Multiple schools will have busy signing dates with football, especially Har-Ber, which boasts the three FBS signees among its five football players who will sign.
“Any time you can go to college and get school paid for, I think that’s a huge benef it,” Har-B er coach Chris Wood said. “I’m excited for these guys to have an opportunity to keep going, mainly to set up themselves for getting their college paid for.”
Frazier is the most highly touted area recruit this year. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder is a consensus four-star recruit and chose the Crimson Tide over offers from other high-prof ile BCS programs across the country, including Arkansas.
Frazier finished with 49 tackles, five sacks and 16 quarterback hurries his senior year. His interception sealed Har-Ber’s 34-31 overtime win over Fayetteville in November.
“I think he’s a good fit from a scheme standpoint for what Alabama does defensively,” Wood said. “He fits into a number of roles within the defensive line. He’s got that size. That’s the biggest thing about the SEC. You’ve got to have size in the trenches.”
Hall finished his senior season with 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 12 hurries and two forced fumbles. The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder verbally committed to Arkansas shortly after receiving an offer in October.
“Any time you’re able to send a student athlete to the University of Arkansas, that’s always exciting,” Wood said. “Because I’m a fan of the program. I want them to be successful. And to have one of your own guys go in there to play for them, like we have Brey Cook there right now, it’s something you enjoy watching and like tracking them and seeing them. It’s our flagship university, so you’re always excited when your kids are going there.”
Kraus verbally committed to Arkansas in April and is ranked the No. 31 tight end in the nation by ESPN. The 6-foot-6, 236-pounder was a steady contributor for Bentonville the last few years, including catching a touchdown pass in the Tigers’ Class 7A state championship win over Cabot.
“I think it’s about as good a fit as you can get across the country for what Arkansas’ doing with the number of tight ends they use in their off ense,” Bentonville coach Barry Lunney said. “Jack meets all the qualifications. He’s big, physical. He’s an outstanding blocker. And he’s really got great hands, too. He can catch the ball.”
Johnson was a key component to a Har-Ber line that paved the way for the Wildcats to rush for more than 3,000 yards, while Dennis impacted both sides of the ball for Fayetteville. Wary racked up 193 total tackles for Rogers the last three years, including 79 this season despite missing multiple games with an ankle injury.
Several other notable area players will sign today, too.
Bentonville receiver Jimmie Jackson and Rogers Heritage’s duo of Josh Qualls and Micca Brown will sign with Arkansas Tech, Rogers running back Zane Bush with Northwestern (La.) State and Springdale tight end Josiah Wymer with Central Arkansas.
Springdale running back Deandre Murray verbally committed to Tulsa in November, but will sign with Pitt State, where he will continue his career with teammate Cua Rose. Shiloh Christian quarterback Daniel Shimer is set to announce his decision and sign today.
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
FAYETTEVILLE
Player - Sport - College
Jordan Dennis Football Tulsa
Terrell Tyson Football Henderson State
Kyle Pate Baseball Arkansas
Alan Dunn Baseball Coffeyville CC
Kara Tubb Soccer Maryville College
SPRINGDALE HIGH
Deandre Murray Football Pitt State
Cua Rose Football Pitt State
Josiah Wymer Football UCA
Taylor Wyatt Soccer Delta State
Kelcee Thompson Softball Hutchinson CC
Matt Sherry Baseball Harding University
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER
Josh Frazier Football Alabama
Jake Hall Football Arkansas
Isaac Johnson Football Tulsa
Ben O’Brien Soccer Ouachita Baptist
ROGERS HIGH
Zack Wary Football Wake Forest
Bryce Bray Football Harding University
Zane Bush Football Northwestern State
Madison Dake Soccer Ouchita Baptist
Daniel Riveria Soccer E. Oklahoma State
Rosie Champlin Volleyball Lyon College
Brett D’Amico Baseball NEO
ROGERS HERITAGE
Josh Qualls Football Arkansas Tech
Brandon Gates Football Harding University
Colby Isbell Football Missouri State
Brandon White Football Central Methodist
Micca Brown Football Arkansas Tech
BENTONVILLE
Jack Kraus Football Arkansas
Jimmie Jackson Football Arkansas Tech
SHILOH CHRISTIAN
Daniel Shimer Football Undecided
Rylie Robinson Track Arkansas