FAYETTEVILLE — Jordan Dennis displayed his ability time and time again over the past two high school football seasons as both a top wide receiver and shutdown cornerback in the 7A/6A-West Conference.
Now, Dennis gets to test his game at the next level, with his decision to attend Tulsa.
Dennis, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior at Fayetteville, first committed to the Golden Hurricane on Oct. 28. Then after an off cial visit on Jan. 24, he was convinced more than ever Tulsa was the place for him.
Dennis signed his national letter of intent on Wednesday morning as part of National Signing Day.
“It was just all the coaches and the whole environment at Tulsa,” said Dennis, who picked the Golden Hurricane over Arkansas State. “I took my official visit a couple of weeks ago and that’s when I knew for sure.”
Dennis, an all-conference and all-state selection the last two seasons, had 56 receptions for 994 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior for the Purple’Dogs. He fi nished his Fayetteville career with 1,998 yards receiving and 21 oft ensive touchdowns, but it was his work on defense that drew attention from colleges.
In two seasons he intercepted seven passes and returned four for touchdowns, often matching up against opponents’ top receiver.
“Jordan just has that uncanny ability with his great hips and his great hands, to defend the ball,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “He’s the best defensive back I’ve ever coached here.”
Dennis said while playing some wide receiver at Tulsa is an option, defense will be his first priority this fall.
“They’ve talked about me playing safety and cornerback,” Dennis said. “But if they need me, they could put me some at wide receiver.”
Terrell Tyson, a 6-foot, 200-pound senior, also signed on Wednesday. Tyson battled numerous injuries throughout his Fayetteville career but was thrilled at the opportunity to continue his playing career at Henderson State.
“Just playing at the next level is a dream come true,” Tyson said. “A lot of guys don’t get the chance to do that and I wasn’t sure I was going to get that chance.”
Tyson played running back, linebacker and defensive back this past season. Despite missing several games with injuries, he ran for 111 yards and finished with 42 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions.
“Terrell is one of those kids who had some bad luck with injuries,” Patton said. “But he’s going to a great program at Henderson and I’ll think he’ll develop into a really good football player.”