Arkansas lands Class of 2016 FB/DE from Missouri’s backyard
Written by Ryan Wright
Friday night the Arkansas Razorbacks added their ninth verbal commitment to their 2016 class landing Rock Bridge High School two-way star Hayden Johnson.
Johnson, 6’3”, 245 pounds, was a pile mover for the Bruins in 2014 gaining national attention by college recruiters as a running back/fullback. On the defensive side of the ball he was a force playing defensive end. In total 23 scholarship offers have been extended to the Columbia, Missouri talent with schools like Tulsa, Purdue, Louisiana Tech, Ball State, Buffalo, Air Force, Army, and Colgate trying to lure him to their campus for college ball.
Arkansas hosted Johnson for a camp last weekend leading to Friday’s commitment. Hayden was recruited by Jemal Singleton and Sam Pittman. He is the first commitment from the state of Missouri for the Hogs 2016 recruiting class.
Johnson made his announcement official on Twitter writing, “Blessed to say I’ve officially committed to the University of Arkansas! #WooPig #Razorbacks.”
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema echoed the sentiments via Twitter adding, “Always good to call the Hogs but especially good from Missouri. Building it one day at a time with one #UnCommon man at a time! # WoooPig.”
The Razorbacks have landed three recruits this week with Johnson joining offensive tackle Kellen Diesch and defensive back Alexy Jean-Baptiste.
Arkansas 2016 Verbal Commitment List
DT Austin Capps, 6’4”, 305 lbs, Star City HS, Star City, Arkansas
DT Briston Guidry, 6’2”, 290 lbs, Rummel HS, Metairie, Louisiana
LB De’jon Harris, 6’1”, 230 lbs, John Ehret HS, Marrero, Louisiana
SS Alexy Jean-Baptiste, 6’3”, 205 lbs, Coconut Creek HS, Coconut Creek, Florida
OT Kellen Diesch, 6’7”, 272 lbs, Byron Nelson, Trophy Club, Texas
FB/DE Hayden Johnson, 6’3”, 245 lbs, Rock Bridge HS, Columbia, Missouri
RB/WR T.J. Hammonds, 5’11”, 192 lbs, Pulaski Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas
WR Jordan Jones, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Smackover HS, Smackover, Arkansas
QB Cole Kelley, 6’7”, 245 lbs, Teurlings Catholic, Lafayette, Louisiana
Photo credit: scout.com; No. 9 Hayden Johnson.