Greenwood sophomore quarterback Connor Noland received a scholarship offer from Arkansas State during the summer and on Nov. 17 added one from UCLA.
Noland, 6-2, 185 pounds, began a relationship with Bruins offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone after attending a couple of UCLA summer camps while living in Reno, Nev. Despite the relationship, he was caught off guard by the offer.
“It really came out of the blue,” Noland said. “I was really surprised. It was a big deal, a great honor to get an offer from UCLA. I mean that’s a big name in football right now.”
For the season, he’s completed 72 of 106 passes for 844 yards and 8 touchdowns along with 61 rushes for 431 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Bulldog Coach Rick Jones likes Noland’s skill set.
“He’s a really talented kid,” Jones said. “A good kid. He’s been exposed to lot of different things. He’s worked with some guys on the West Coast. The offensive coordinator at UCLA has watched him.”
Noland attended Arkansas’ heartbreaking 51-50 loss to Mississippi State.
“It was great, it was cold, but it was a great atmosphere,” Noland said. “I was able to see the facilities, great facilities. It’s definitely all the things you look for in place to build physically, mentally and in the classroom.”
Jones said Noland can hurt opponents with his arm and legs.
“I think he’s what a definition of a dual threat is,” Jones said. “He can throw and he can run.”
While he’s a just a sophomore, Noland has the attention of numerous college programs.
“He’s had inquires from a lot of different places from the West Coast, Big Ten,” Jones said. “He has some connections out there. I think he’s going to have a lot of good opportunities out there in front of him.”
Noland comes from a family that has a rich tradition of playing football for Greenwood. He attended Bishop Manogue Catholic in Reno the first semester of last year before he and his brother, Peyton, a senior defensive end for the Bulldogs, moved in with their grandparents in Greenwood on Dec. 26.
“Both my parents, their grandparents and great-grandparents went to Greenwood,” Noland said. “So we kind of have a tradition here, and we definitely wanted to follow their footsteps.”
“We just decided it was the best decision for us. It was a long process, but we finally decided it was the best choice.”
Noland’s father talked up the Bulldog pride.
“Being a Bulldog is a big deal here, and everybody knows the Bulldog name,” said Noland, whose uncle also played for Greenwood. “If you go to Greenwood and you’re a football player, you’re kind of put into a special category.”