Junior college punter Chad Stephens was excited Tuesday to commit to Arkansas, a program he grew up watching.
“It began whenever Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were there,” Stephens said. “I really enjoyed watching those two play. I went to a game or two growing up, and I was really able to see what Fayetteville had to offer as a school and as a football program.”
Stephens (6-1, 215 pounds) of Dodge City Community College chose to walk on at Arkansas over interest from Oklahoma, Liberty and Massachusetts along with interest from several Division II and FCS programs. He plans to enroll in January.
“It means a lot to be able to go to such a great school and play the sport I love while doing it,” said Stephens, whose aunt also attended Arkansas.
Stephens signed with Wyoming in 2016 out of Owasso, Okla., before eventually transferring to junior college. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility with the Razorbacks without the opportunity to redshirt.
This season, Stephens punted 50 times for a 37.8-yard average, including a long to 65 yards. He downed 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Stephens also made his only field goal of 22 yards and was 3 for 3 on extra point attempts.
Tanner Burns, who was a quality control coach for special teams under former Coach Bret Bielema, led the recruiting efforts for Stephens.
“It was kind of a two-way recruitment,” Stephens said. “I already loved the idea of being a Razorback, and he wanted me on the team to compete and take over the starting spot. I’m just glad it all worked out.”