SPRINGDALE — Cua Rose got excited Tuesday morning when he found out Deandre Murray had decided to sign with Pitt State.
Murray’s decision meant the two Springdale High teammates would continue their football careers together at the next level.
“It’s just something we’ve both been planning since we started playing football together (two years ago),” Rose said. “I’m excited to get to play with him again.”
The duo signed with Pitt State on Wednesday morning and was joined in the Springdale signing class by tight end Josiah Wymer, who inked with Central Arkansas to round out an impressive trio that had a big impact on the field for the Bulldogs the last two years.
“Just to have the opportunity to play college football is a great thing,” Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. “To have as many players as we’ve had that have gone on and played (collegiately) since I’ve been here is just a credit to the kids and our program carrying on that tradition to prepare kids to play at the next level.”
Wymer committed to UCA in January, picking the Bears over a walk-on offer from Arkansas in what was a tough decision for the two-year all-7A/6A-West Conference selection. He also had an ofter from Stephen F. Austin.
“I feel way relieved and I feel good about it,” Wymer said.
The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder totaled 30 catches for 566 ya rds and four touchdowns his junior and senior seasons. He’ll have a chance to contribute early for new Bears coach Steve Campbell in a UCA oftense similar to what Springdale runs.
“I think it’s a great fi t for him,” Patrick said. “The new staff coming in, my understanding is when they first saw the film, they were just blown away. For them to come back within the first day of getting the job and say, ‘That’s a guy we’ve got to get,’ that’s just a great fit for Josiah. He’s going to do really well down there.”
Wymer played for Cabot his sophomore year and still has family in the central part of the state, which helped make the destination a good fit along with the atmosphere around the program.
“It just felt like home down there,” Wymer said. “All the coaches get along great and I like the program. They’re telling me I have a chance to come in there and play when I get there.”
Murray verbally committed to Tulsa in November, but fl ipped to Pitt State after visiting the Kansas-based school with Rose last weekend. The consensus threestar running back prospect liked the family atmosphere on his visit to Pitt State, which was helped by visiting with his teammate.
“They’re one of the top (Division II) schools in the nation and they’re closer to home,” Murray said. “And I get to go with my brother (Rose).”
Murray accounted for 3,677 all-purpose yards and 36 total touchdowns in his two years at Springdale, including rushing for more than 2,900 yards. Rose racked up 199 tackles in his two-year Bulldog career, often showcasing his playmaking ability on the back end of the defense.
Pitt State’s defensive system fit what Rose was looking for.
“They’ve got three safety positions,” Rose said. “The coach told me I could come in and make an impact at any of the three.”
Both players will get a chance to contribute early in a Pitt State program that is among the best in Division II.
“I’m happy for them,” Patrick said. “I think both those guys are a really good fit. All I’ve ever wanted for our guys is for them to be able to go to the place that is best for them.”
Springdale could still have several other football signees later in the signing period, including defensive end Austin Jarrett, oft ensive lineman Edwin Espinoza, punter Sam Kennedy and receivers Quiency Patton and Terry Mounce.
Springdale will also have several non-football signees once the weather permits a signing ceremony. Taylor Wyatt (girls soccer) is set to sign with Delta State and Kelcee Thompson (softball) with Hutchinson Community College, while Matt Sherry (baseball) already signed with Harding University.