FOOTBALL
Georgia DB commits to Hogs
Arkansas picked up its third football oral commitment in as many days when defensive back Korey Hernandez pledged to the Hogs.
“I feel like the coaching staff are people I can be around for years to come,” Hernandez said. “Their personalities and the way everyone at Arkansas carries themselves makes me want to become a Razorback.”
Hernandez, 5-11, 175 pounds, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove, chose the Hogs over about 20 other scholarship offers, including ones from Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, South Florida, Southern Miss, Tulane, Kent State and Toledo.
He said he likes what Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema is doing in Fayetteville.
“Coach B is putting together something great at the University of Arkansas, and I want to be a contributor to the success to come,” Hernandez said.
As a junior, Hernandez led Cedar Grove in most defensive stats with 85 tackles, 2 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries. He also had more than 250 receiving yards on offense.
Hernandez has a 3.7 grade-point average and plans to graduate in December and enroll at Arkansas in January. He said he respects how Razorbacks defensive line coach Rory Segrest went about the recruiting process.
“He was straightforward with me throughout the process,” Hernandez said, “… and he’s a Georgia guy.”
Hernandez has yet to visit Arkansas, but he has plans to make a trip to Fayetteville in late July. Cedar Grove assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Chris Hill said Hernandez has an outstanding work ethic along with skills suited for the nation’s top conference.
“He’s perfect for the SEC, He’s so physical,” Hill said. “He can line up at corner and he can play safety. He can play nickel. Last year, he played some linebacker.”
Hernandez is Arkansas’ No. 15 commitment for the 2017 class. Oral commitments are nonbinding.
-Richard Davenport
BASEBALL
Bryant players earned All-America honors
Evan Lee, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder who led Bryant to the Class 7A state title, has been named to first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and the Louisville Slugger teams.
Lee was the MVP of the Class 7A state tournament, the All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year and is a University of Arkansas signee. He compiled a 9-0 record on the mound and batted .452 with 4 home runs, 31 RBI, 7 triples and 7 doubles.
Bryant pitcher Zach Jackson was also selected to the Louisville Slugger first team. Jackson was 9-1 this season with a 0.41 ERA.
Both Zackson and Lee were also named to the ABCA Southwest Region team.
-Democrat-Gazette Press Services