Offensive lineman Dylan Rathcke, who recently narrowed his list to the University of Arkansas and Kentucky, orally committed to the Razorbacks on Wednesday.
Rathcke, 6-5, 290 pounds, 5.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash of University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, had scholarship offers from Louisville, Colorado State, Tulane and others. He made an unofficial visit to Kentucky over the weekend and to Fayetteville for the weekend of the Vanderbilt game.
He said he knew after the trip to Arkansas that he would be a Razorback.
"Really after we left Arkansas, me and my family sat down and talked about it and it just seemed like home," Rathcke said. "We couldn't think of anything that was wrong."
Offensive line coach Dustin Fry was the lead recruiter of Rathcke, who told Fry of his decision Tuesday night.
"I just called him up and told him. He was really excited about it," Rathcke said. "He seems like a really great guy. Not only a great coach, but a great guy."
Rathcke has a 305-pound bench press, 475 squat, and 275 power clean, along with an impressive 33.5-inch vertical jump. He also has recorded 4.42 seconds in the shuttle.
Rathcke, who's expected to officially visit Arkansas in December, learned about his offer from Coach Chad Morris before the game against the Commodores. He started thinking about being a Hog shortly after.
"We had no reservations or anything about it," Rathcke said. "After Coach Morris offered me, I really started thinking about it and just through the game and on the way home I was really thinking about it."
His father, Erik, and mother, Jennifer, were happy with his decision.
"They liked everything about it," Rathcke said. "My dad actually said he was comfortable with it. He could drop me off right now and be fine with it."
Rathcke is the third offensive lineman and the 23rd commitment for the Razorbacks' 2019 class. Oral commitments are non-binding.
-- Richard Davenport
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
ASU's McKenzie among Broyles Award nominees
Arkansas State University running backs coach and first-year special teams coordinator Norval McKenzie was announced as one of 53 nominees for the 2018 Broyles Award, given annually to the country's top assistant coach.
Of 1,500 assistant coaches representing 130 NCAA Division I schools, McKenzie is the only nominee from an Arkansas school. North Carolina State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Eliah Drinkwitz played football at Alma and Arkansas Tech, where he graduated in 2004, and was Arkansas State's running backs coach for two seasons.
A 19-member committee including former head coaches and members of the Football Writers Association of America will select 15 semifinalists and 5 finalists.
The finalists will be invited to Little Rock, where the Broyles Award winner will be announced Dec. 4.
-- Christian Boutwell
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Boit named SEC Runner of the Year
University of Arkansas junior Gilbert Boit was named the SEC Men's Runner of the Year on Wednesday by the league's head coaches.
Boit, who is the fifth Razorback in the past eight seasons to earn the honor, also was named a first-team All-SEC selection with teammate Cameron Griffith. Ethan Moehn was named a second-team selection along with Ryan Murphy, who was also named to the All-Freshman team.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Harter, Robinson earn SEC honors
Arkansas Coach Lance Harter was named the SEC's Coach of the Year on Wednesday, while Katrina Robinson was named the conference's Freshman of the Year.
Robinson, who is the third consecutive Razorback to earn the freshman honor and ninth since 2000, finished as Arkansas' top runner in all of her races this season and was the fastest Razorback at the SEC Championship with a time of 19 minutes, 0.88 seconds.
Robinson, Lauren Gregory, Carina Viljoen and Taylor Werner were first-team All-SEC selections, while Sydney Brown and Maddy Reed were named to the second team.
Sports on 11/08/2018