FAYETTEVILLE -- C.J. O'Grady received offers to play college football from top programs across the country after a breakout junior season at Fayetteville.
On Tuesday he decided the best offer was right in his own back yard, as the rising senior tight end announced his verbal commitment to Arkansas.
In a message on his personal Twitter account, O'Grady made the news official.
"Just made one of the biggest decisions of my life. ... Committed to the Razorbacks! #WPS," O'Grady wrote, with an attached picture of himself and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema.
O'Grady, a All-NWA Media Newcomer of the Year in 2013, has played tight end for just one season. But in that season, he turned heads with highlight-reel catches and big-play ability. Named all-state, O'Grady, at 6-foot-5, 240-pounds, was second on Fayetteville's team with 45 receptions for 884 yards in 11 games, and led the Bulldogs with 14 touchdown catches.
He is ranked as high as the No. 11 tight end in the country by 247Sports and ranks no lower than No. 22 nationally at the position among all major recruiting services. His father, the late Larry Marks, played basketball at Arkansas from 1988-90.
Along with Arkansas O'Grady also has offers from more than a dozen other schools including Texas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oregon, Louisville and Boise State.
Sports on 06/19/2014