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Louisiana offensive tackle talks about commitment to Arkansas

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, University Lab High School three-star offensive tackle Dylan Rathcke recapped his decision with me to commit to Arkansas.

“Everything was perfect at Arkansas,” Rathcke said. “The facilities are amazing and the staff was the best ever. From the first day we arrived everything was so organized. I knew that this was the program that could develop me as a player and a person.”

Here’s the topics we discussed:

His relationship with the Arkansas coaching staff: “I think the thing I like the most about the staff was how down to earth they are. Everyone truly seemed happy to be there and it just felt like a big family. They all worked together so well.”

How Arkansas is different from the rest of the schools: “All the programs are great. What made the difference with Arkansas was myself and my entire family connected with the staff.”

About his skill sets that he is bringing to Arkansas: “I believe I will bring an athletic, fast-twitch, style of blocking. Plus handle the run game.”

On his official visit to Arkansas: “I will officially visit Arkansas in December after the playoffs. I have to look at my exam schedule.”

His relationship with Arkansas offensive line coach Dustin Fry: “I really enjoyed coach Fry. I’m excited to work with him.”

His thoughts on the newly-renovated Reynolds Razorback Stadium: “The stadium is absolutely amazing. I loved how modern it was.”

What he likes most about Arkansas: “The scenery is beautiful in Arkansas. I can’t wait to go fishing.”

Arkansas coaches’ reaction on the commitment: “I think I really shocked them. I had just gotten back from Kentucky. I don’t thing they thought I would do it before my official. I called coach Dustin and coach Morris Tuesday night and told them I was ready to commit and they both were excited.”

Rathcke has 12 offers from schools such as Arkansas, Arkansas State, Colorado State, and Kentucky.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

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John & Tommy are joined by Tyler Wilson to discuss Fenceman picks, interview Raymond House, Wes Johnson to the Twins, and more!

Hogs’ Froholdt named to Google Cloud All-District first team

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ Hjalte Froholdt has been named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District First Team in district six, which is selected by College Sports Information Directors of America.

It marks back-to-back years the offensive lineman from Svendborg, Denmark, has picked up the all-district accolade, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.

Froholdt’s district includes players from Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota & Wisconsin.

Froholdt, a senior studying applied exercise science, has started every game this season and each of the last 35 games dating back to the start of 2016. He was also named a team captain during week five of the 2018 campaign after a team vote.

As the anchor of the offensive line, Froholdt has played a total of 674 snaps this year, leading the team in every contest. He’s helped the Razorback offense to 3,622 yards of total offense, including 1,600 rushing yards, to go with 28 touchdowns in 2018. He has allowed just three sacks in over 1,200 pass protection snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

It’s the fifth academic award Froholdt has accumulated over his collegiate career, earning SEC Academic Honor Roll honors in 2015-17.

First-team Academic All-District winners advance to the Google Cloud Academic All-America ballot, with first- and second-team members announced in early December.

Anderson on Indiana game, Hill signing, ’94 championship

Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson talked with the media Thursday about Sunday’s game with Indiana, the signing of Justice Hill and the upcoming celebration of the 1994 national title team.

Gafford, Harris talk about Sunday afternoon matchup with Indiana

Arkansas players Daniel Gafford and Jalen Harris talked with the media Thursday afternoon about the upcoming game against the Hoosiers and what they expect.

UA’s board approves new Razorbacks facilities for track, baseball

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees approved the construction of three athletic related capital projects for Razorbacks athletics.

The new facilities include:

• A Track and Field High Performance Center at John McDonnell Field

• A renovation and expansion of the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center

• A Baseball Performance Center at Baum Stadium, as part of the agenda of their regularly scheduled meeting held Thursday in Fort Smith.

The Board also approved the selection of architect/engineer design and construction manager/general contractor teams for the facilities.

The projects will be funded entirely by athletic revenues, gifts, and bond proceeds from a future bond issue.

No university funds will be required to complete the projects. Fundraising for all three projects is ongoing and the Razorback Foundation is close to solidifying lead gifts for each of the facilities.

“As we continue to focus on student-athlete success, we are pleased to be moving forward on three important projects to further support student-athletes in some of the most successful sports programs at the University of Arkansas,” athletics director Hunter Yurachek said. “Our baseball and men’s and women’s track and field programs consistently compete for SEC and national championships and we want to provide our student-athletes the resources they need to succeed.

“We are appreciative of the support of our Board of Trustees, President Don Bobbitt and Chancellor Joe Steinmetz on these projects and the continued pursuit of our vision To Be the Best.”

The approximately 20,000 square foot Track and Field High Performance Center will be constructed just south of the track at John McDonnell Field.

Based on the feasibility study, the total project cost of the facility is currently estimated at $8-$10 million.

Hufft (Bentonville) will work with AECOM (Kansas City, Missouri) on the design of the facility. Flintco (Springdale and Tulsa, Oklahoma) will be the construction manager and general contractor on the Track Performance Center.

The Randal Tyson Track Center will undergo an extensive renovation and expansion. The total project cost of the Randal Tyson Track Center Renovation and Expansion is currently estimated at $15-20 million.

Polk Stanley Wilcox (Fayetteville and Little Rock) and Populous (Kansas City, Missouri) will lead the design team on the Randal Tyson Track Center Renovation and Expansion while CDI Constructors LLC (Fayetteville and Little Rock) will serve as the general contractor.

A new, approximately 40,000+ square foot, Baseball Performance Center will be built beyond the right field wall on the southwest corner of Baum Stadium.

The total project cost of the Baseball Performance Center is currently estimated at $20-25 million.

WER (Fayetteville and Little Rock) and HKS (Dallas, Texas) will lead the design team on the baseball clubhouse project while Kinco Constructors (Springdale and Little Rock) will serve as the general contractor.

Hill makes it official, signing basketball letter with Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson announced Justice Hill has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Razorbacks.

“Obviously, we are very excited to have Justice join our family,” Anderson said. “He committed to us as a freshman and has continued to grow both as a player and a person. He is an excellent student and athlete who comes from an outstanding family.

“Justice possesses good court vision, has really good basketball instincts and is athletic. He will be a perfect fit for our ‘FASTEST40’ style of play.”

Justice Hill
5-11, 170, G
Little Rock, Ark. (Little Rock Christian Academy)

• Rated the #3 overall prospect in Arkansas and #36-best point guard in the nation by 247Sports.com … Also a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, which has him as the 48th-best point guard in the nation.

• Named to the 2018 5A All-State basketball team as a junior as he averaged 19.5 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds … As a sophomore, averaged 15 points, four rebounds, three assist and two steals.

• Played summer ball with the Arkansas Hawks, teaming with current Razorbacks Isaiah Joe, Desi Sills and Ethan Henderson.

• Son of Dr. Fitz Hill, who was an assistant football coach at Arkansas under Jack Crowe, Danny Ford and Houston Nutt from 1992-2000 and went on to be the head coach at San Jose State (2001-04).

• Has been committed to Arkansas since his freshman year of high school.

• A standout quarterback for the Little Rock Christian football team and received several FBS football scholarship offers as well … To date this season, has passed for 2,102 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his passes …. Rushed for 755 yards and 16 touchdowns for the 10-1 Warriors as they prepare to meet Texarkana in the Class 5A quarterfinals.

• Finished second in the 2018 5A state championship in the high jump (6-2) and placed fifth at the state meet in the long jump (21-1.75).

• High school head coach is Clarence Finley … Arkansas Hawks AAU coach is Bill Ingram.

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Neighbors looks ahead to matchup with Arizona State after big win

Arkansas got a big win over the Lady Mavericks on Wednesday night and coach Mike Neighbors talked about that and looked ahead to Sunday night’s matchup with the Sun Devils.

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Morris talks about matchup with ’Dogs on SEC Teleconference

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