Interview: 2018 Arkansas QB Commit Connor Noland has Greenwood on Point

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Life for the Greenwood Bulldogs on the gridiron could not be going much better. The squad has started out 9-0 already beating out perhaps their toughest 6A Arkansas competition this year topping Russellville 27-24 on Oct. 14. Football is a team sport, perhaps embodied perfectly by the Bulldogs, especially in the pocket with senior Luke Hales and Connor Noland. The quarterback duo have taken turns ripping opposing defenses apart getting their team ready for another deep playoff run.

Hales and Noland swap series, taking turns padding their stat line while pushing the Bulldogs closer to a perfect season. The entire squad has revenge in mind this season after rolling to a 12-0 mark last season only to lose a heartbreaker in the Arkansas High School Football State Championship Game to Pine Bluff (28-21). Hales so far has tossed the pigskin around for 891 yards with 10 touchdowns against just two picks completing 64 percent of his attempts. Noland has been sharp hitting 99 of 144 attempts covering 1,353 yards with 12 scores tossed against just one interception.

Noland has all football loving eyes within the state of Arkansas set upon him. The Arkansas Razorbacks Class of 2018 commit has not wilted under the pressure hitting 68.8 percent of his passes while averaging 13.7 yards per completion. The 6-2, 185 pound, gunslinger has showcased his dual-threat abilities rushing for 434 yards with six additional touchdowns.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the standout junior before the Bulldogs play their final game of the regular season to get a rundown on Noland’s play on the field while receiving an update on his recruiting process.

Interview

Connor, the Bulldogs are on the verge of closing out a perfect regular season yet again. What kind of challenge will Lake Hamilton provide for the Bulldogs on Friday?

“I think it’ll be a good game for us. It is for the conference championship. Going into the playoffs, we want to go in with a win. Getting a win against Lake Hamilton will be big. Execute is the word for us. I think a win will lead to good things for us in the playoffs.”

What part of your game has improved the most this season?

“I think the mental side has been big. Coach (Rick) Jones (head coach) and Coach Young have worked with me on my reads. I’ve been working on going through my progression. The game has slowed down and I am smoother this season that last year.”

Which game was your toughest?

“Arkansas (Texarkana – won 55-10). Their defense was solid. We ran more than threw the ball against them. They gave us a real challenge.”

What did you learn from that game that has helped your game going forward?

“You gotta make more plays. Sometimes things will break down. I have learned to keep my eyes up and keep trying to make things happen downfield.”

The Bulldogs are ranked No. 4 overall in the state and No. 1 in Class 6A (MaxPreps). Are there any other 6A teams you are excited to possibly play in the playoffs?

“Pine Bluff, they beat us last year. In the back of our mind, we want that game. That is a game we are looking forward to.”

How many unofficial visits have you taken to Arkansas this season?

“I’ve been to every home game.”

Are you getting a chance to learn the offense?

“I’ve been getting some glimpses of it. Next year will be more preparing for my freshman year.”

Are you getting any locker room QB tips from the Arkansas players or coaches?

“For sure. I get a lot of insight from D-I coaches and players. Drew (Morgan – senior WR) and Grant (Morgan – freshman LB) have been giving insight on what to do and what is happening. They preach a lot is really about practice. I think that helps the team a lot too.”

Are any schools still actively trying to recruit you?

“A couple of schools are still talking to me but I’m committed to Arkansas. That is where I want to be.”

Which schools?

“Missouri and North Carolina the main ones.”

Are you helping recruit other 2017 or 2018 guys to join you in Fayetteville?

“Definitely. There is a lot of recruitment I have been doing. Hopefully will get some of these guys. Bumper Pool (4-star 2018 Texas LB) and Ken Montgomery (3-star 2018 Florida CB), Montgomery is coming up from Florida to visit. Both are 2018 guys. I have a giant list of guys I am talking to about Arkansas. I’m talking to a lot of guys.”

Is there a question you get most often from fellow recruits that may have never been to the state of Arkansas much less to the campus?

“The main questions are about the coaching staff. They want to know if they are good guys and how they coach. Building relationships with those guys is big for recruits. They also want to know about the strength and conditioning coach. That is a big one, because he will build you up and getting ready to play.”

Connor, as always, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; Connor Noland at Arkansas.

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 13 Connor Noland finds running room.

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 13 Connor Noland gets a stiff-arm against Catholic High.