Fort Smith Northside athlete Dreyden Norwood became the first in-state sophomore to receive an offer from Arkansas during a visit to Fayetteville on Sunday.
Norwood, a cousin of Oklahoma cornerback Tre Norwood, played behind senior quarterback Derrick “Deuce” Wise II this past season.
“He’s very athletic, very smart,” Grizzles coach Mike Falleur said. “He’s hit a growth spurt. He’s 6- foot, 6-1 and about 175 pounds. I bet he’s grown an inch or an inch and a half since football season and he’s probably put on about 15 pounds - probably close to 20. He made a decision not to play basketball and he’s worked extremely hard in the weight room.”
Norwood saw limited snaps while playing behind Wise, a UCA signee.
“He was an explosive player with the little highlight tape he’s got,” Falleur said. “It isn’t long yet, it’s going to be. They really liked what they saw.”
Falleur believes Norwood will probably be recruited as an athlete, but that could change depending on how he develops the next two seasons.
“He’s going to play quarterback for us,” Falleur said. “He’ll play some DB. He can run, he can throw the football well, so quarterback-wise we’ll have to wait and see. I think they’re recruiting him as more of an athlete. He could play DB, could play receiver and may end up being a dang good quarterback.”