Arkansas received its first oral commitment in football for the 2018 class when Greenwood quarterback-pitcher Connor Noland pledged Wednesday to play football and baseball.
"I think the coaching staff of both programs was the biggest thing for me overall," Noland said. "I feel very comfortable with both staffs."
Noland, 6-2, 185 pounds, picked the Razorbacks over football scholarships from UCLA, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Penn State and others. He completed 72 of 106 passes for 844 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore for the Bulldogs while splitting time with junior starter Luke Hales.
He attended Bishop Manogue Catholic in Reno, Nev., the first semester of 2014 before he and his brother, Peyton, moved in with their grandparents in Greenwood.
His parents, grandparents and great-grandparents attended Greenwood schools.
"I have lived a couple of places, but I was born in Arkansas and grew up loving the Razorbacks and watching guys like Tyler Wilson, who is from Greenwood," Noland said.
Noland, who has hit 91 mph on the radar gun, also had baseball offers from Tennessee, New Mexico and Northwestern. He becomes the eighth commitment for the baseball Hogs for the 2018 class.
Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said Noland works hard at his craft.
"I guess the main thing I appreciated about him is almost the perfect combination of confidence and humility," Jones said. "That's a really hard balance for young guys. He's a hardworking guy that cares for his teammates."
In addition to Wilson, Greenwood has sent several others to Fayetteville, including senior receiver Drew Morgan, senior kicker Adam McFain and former receiver Lucas Miller.
While Jones keeps a low profile when it comes to the recruitment of his players, he knows the town is proud.
"I'm thrilled to death when one of our guys get an opportunity to play at the next level," Jones said. "We take great pride in this town. We take great pride we've sent some good Razorbacks up there."
Noland is now turning from prospect to recruiter for Arkansas.
"I'm very happy to be a Razorback, and I look forward to helping recruit more players to come join us," he said.
Oral commitments are nonbinding.
Sports on 07/21/2016