Ashdown was focused Tuesday on Arkansas safety commitment Montaric Brown, who was presented his U.S. Army All-American jersey, but he started the day focusing on others.
Brown, 6-1, 180, 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, was recently selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American game to be played Jan. 7 in the Alamodome in San Antonio. He was given his game jersey during a ceremony at the school.
Panthers Coach Matt Richardson said Brown began Tuesday morning by giving to others.
"He started the day at the church taping boxes and putting food boxes together for the food pantry," Richardson said. "He was doing community service. On [the] day that's suppose to be big and just for him ... he was doing something for somebody else."
The town of about 4,500 has been abuzz since Brown was selected as one of 100 players to play in the prestigious game.
"It's a big deal for me to represent Arkansas and it's a big deal to be representing Ashdown," Brown said.
Richardson said numerous people from Ashdown will be in San Antonio to support Brown.
"There's a bunch of people are going," Richardson said. "All of us coaches will be going. I figure some of his teammates will go. I've had a bunch of people in the community say they're going down."
ESPN rates Brown the No. 12 safety and No. 191 overall prospect in the nation. He chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Alabama, Oklahoma State, Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma, Baylor and others.
Brown said he dreamt of playing in the U.S. Army All-American game since he was 10.
"As a kid you think it would be cool and you think someday it could be you," Brown said. "It's just a dream come true to be playing in the game and playing against other great players."
Three Ashdown juniors have been invited to participate in the U.S. Army national combine two days before the game. Cornerback Ladarius Bishop, quarterback Jaden Hill and running back Tre Green are among 600 athletes with invites.
Bonds seals UA deal
Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn announced the signing of 19 prospects earlier in the week.
Left-handed pitcher Dylan Bonds of Mount Juliet High School in Tennessee signed with the Hogs on Monday. He attended Southside Bee Branch until moving to Tennessee during his sophomore year.
He visited the Razorbacks in late May.
"After the visit, I knew it was my home and knew that's where I wanted to go," Bonds said.
Bonds, 5-10, 175 pounds had 76 strikeouts in 46 innings while walking 19 and posted a 0.91 earned run average as a junior. He was 5-0 and had three saves and was named the District 9AAA Left-Handed Pitcher of the Year.
He picked the Razorbacks over offers from West Virginia, Tennessee and others. Bonds' family and friends in Bee Branch are thrilled about him being a Razorback.
"It was big news to my family, the whole community that I grew up in for 15 years," Bonds said. "Every time I go back people congratulate me and tell me they're coming up to Baum Stadium and watch me. Once I get up there, I'm going to have a huge crowd behind me."
He and pitching coach Wes Johnson hit it off during the recruiting process.
"He came and watched me in Georgia this past summer," Bonds said. "He's a great guy. I love what he's doing with the program up there."
Bonds' fastball has topped out at 87 mph. He also throws a curveball, change-up and sidearm fastball.
"I think we're hoping to get me in the low 90's and get my pitches sharp," Bonds said. "We were talking about me coming out of the [bull]pen my first year and then converting to a starter."
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 11/18/2016