Greenwood High School junior Connor Noland didn't want to needlessly drag out the college recruitment process, so he ended the drama early, announcing last week that he would attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He declared his intentions on his 17th birthday.
Of course, GHS fans are ecstatic over his choice, but they are perhaps even happier that Noland still has two seasons of high school football and baseball remaining as a Bulldog. Before his prep playing days are over, he could be the most celebrated athlete ever to play at Greenwood.
The exciting and versatile two-sport star had 15 combined Division-I college offers between baseball and football. Noland is considered to be the top college baseball prospect in the state, and among the top two or three state recruits on the gridiron.
Nationally, he's ranked as the #11 pro-style quarterback among 2018 graduates by 247sports.com, and the 20th ranked right-handed pitcher in his class by Perfect Game USA, a national scouting service. He's been assured of playing both sports for the Razorbacks, if he chooses to do so.
If his GHS coaches are any judge of talent and character, he can do whatever he sets his mind to athletically. Rick Jones and Trey Holloway both weighed in on Noland's collegiate choice.
"We are very proud of Connor's commitment to Arkansas," said Coach Jones. "He is a great athlete and an even better young man. He's dedicated and hard working. He has a great arm and the ability to extend plays with his feet. He had a great sophomore season, completing over 68% of his passes with only two interceptions. He has a positive attitude and does a great job in his role as a leader."
Holloway, a former Razorbacks' pitcher himself, offered similar comments. "Connor is a great baseball player and an even better young man. I'm super excited for him and his commitment to Arkansas. I'm proud of how he has handled this situation. It shows his maturity.
"A lot of people have asked did I push him to go to the U of A because of my playing there, and the answer is no. It was [his] decision 100%. Connor has a lot of potential on the baseball field. The great thing for Greenwood baseball is we have two more years left with him. Connor will continue to work hard and we will continue to coach him to finish empty every day."
Noland offers the promise of a dominating pro-style quarterback and right-handed power pitcher with control, who has already hit 90 mph on the radar gun. He committed privately to the Razorbacks' baseball staff, then to the football staff with his announcement via Twitter. Noland provided some insight into the process in an interview last week with the Recruiting News Guru website.
“I talked to my family first, and then I called Coach (Dave) Van Horn (U of A head baseball coach) and then Coach (Dan) Enos (Arkansas football offensive coordinator). It happened quickly. I was ready to commit to Arkansas. I had the right feeling. I wanted to do it before football season began so I could focus on getting that [championship] ring.”
Asked about the influences that led him to Arkansas, Noland said, “I think hiring Coach (Wes) Johnson (pitching coach) was a great addition to the baseball staff. When I talked to him, we had a great meeting. I already liked the football staff with Coach Enos and [Head] Coach (Bret) Bielema.”
Asked about how he felt to have such a major choice behind him, Noland said, “I was excited. I had seen a lot of schools and a lot of places. It felt good knowing Arkansas is where I wanted to be. "It's a fun process, but it’s a tough and hard decision to make. The rest of your life will be impacted off this decision. I’m glad it's over and I can move on now.”
The opportunity to play both football and baseball was a key factor in his decision. "Playing both sports is something I have dreamed about since I was a kid," said Noland, and Arkansas' willingness to let him try his hand at both sports made his decision to play for the Razorbacks much easier.
"Arkansas gave me a really good opportunity to play both and be an impact player," said the GHS four-star recruit who moved back to Greenwood from Reno, Nevada as a freshman. "I always thought it would be one [sport] or the other, but it's a blessing to be able to play both," he said. "I've just been trying to find the right school for me, and I think I've done that."
But Noland is not the first GHS quarterback/pitcher who has drawn significant interest from college or pro recruiters. Tyler Wilson was a two-sport star for the Bulldogs, but chose football over baseball on the Hill at Fayetteville before spending time in the NFL. Jabe Burgess went to the University of Tulsa on a football scholarship, also giving up baseball.
But perhaps the closet comparison to Noland would be Daniel Stegall, the former GHS quarterback who committed to the Miami Hurricanes, but turned down college football when he was taken in the Major League Baseball draft. Something like that could be in the offing for Noland.
If he continues to develop as a high school pitcher, Noland could face a similar choice in less than two years: Arkansas for one or two sports or the MLB draft? "It's going to take a lot of money [for me] to skip out on the college experience," said Noland. "It's going to take a big number. Other than that I'm going to college and get an education and enjoy [it]."
Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney, Jr. was also a quarterback and baseball star during his playing days with the Razorbacks in the mid-90s. Lunney is from Fort Smith.
"I've been talking with him a lot," said Noland. "He's been there. He's done it. He's been successful in both. Time management is a big thing. Obviously, he's a good guy to talk to about that."
But all of that is still in the future. Until then, Noland has a couple of things left to accomplish involving his Greenwood teammates in both sports. "I want to win a state championship, or multiples," he said. "That's always been a goal for me."
Noland and his Bulldogs' teammates just missed winning a state football title last December, falling to Pine Bluff, 28-21. In that game, Noland threw a touchdown pass. He will get his next crack at a state title this fall. He threw for 872 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015, completing 73 of 107 passes as a sophomore, splitting time at quarterback with Luke Hales. Noland had 431 additional yards rushing with four more scores. Hales is also receiving considerable interest from college recruiters.
Barring injury, the two star QBs will likely split snaps again this fall, though Noland could see increased playing time now that he is more familiar with Greenwood's spread attack. A year behind Hales, Noland should be the team's go-to guy at quarterback in his senior season.