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Complete video of Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn at the NCAA College World Series press conference and all of the coaches on players’ using cell phones.
Chandler Morris receives 2020 offer from Hogs
Chandler Morris, a junior this year at Highland Park in Dallas, received an offer from Arkansas after the Elite QB/Receivers camp this week.
And, yes, in case you weren’t aware he is the son of new Razorbacks coach Chad Morris.
Chandler Morris on Twitter
Excited to receive an offer from The University of Arkansas! #WPS
Morris, 6-0, 170, was offered by Clemson on June 6. Chad Morris served as Clemson’s offensive coordinator between 2011-14. The younger Morris is also receiving interest from Oklahoma State, Auburn, Colorado and several others.
Chandler Morris spent last season backing up 2018 Arkansas signee John Stephen Jones but is the starter heading into his junior season.
As a sophomore, Morris appeared in four games, completing 10 of 24 passes for 123 yards. He also rushed six times for 86 yards and a touchdown. Highland Park finished 15-1 and won a state championship.
Morris is the second 2020 quarterback offered by Arkansas’ staff in as many days, joining Jacolby Criswell of Morrilton.
According to the 247Sports’ database, Arkansas has now offered seven quarterbacks for the 2020 class and has already received unofficial visits from four of them. Overall, the Hogs have over 100 offers out for the 2020 class, according to 247Sports.
In addition to Morris and Criswell, the offered group consists of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco five-star DJ Uiagalelei; Corona (Calif.) four-star Shane Illingworth; Houston (Texas) Austin four-star Malik Hornsby; Austin (Texas) Lake Travis four-star and Texas commitment Hudson Card; and Calabasas (Calif.) three-star Jaden Casey.
Van Horn as Hogs head to College World Series
Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn visited with the media before getting on the bus headed to XNA for the team’s flight to Omaha to play for a national championship.
Shaddy on getting back to College World Series
Razorbacks second baseman Carson Shaddy talked about getting back to Omaha and how he’s trying to keep everything on an even keel focused on national title.
Cole on how playing Texas no big deal for him
Arkansas right fielder Eric Cole talked Thursday before leaving for Omaha about how playing the Longhorns isn’t a big deal because not many Texas fans at Southlake where he’s from.
Thompson on how team’s hitting has improved
Arkansas batting coach Nate Thompson talked Thursday as the Razorbacks were preparing to leave for Omaha about players and what they’ve done to improve hitting.
Hog freshmen Martin, Kjerstad named All-American
FAYETTEVILLE — Infielder Casey Martin and outfielder Heston Kjerstad picked up more postseason hardware earlier this week, earning First Team Freshman All-America honors by the National College Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA).
Martin and Kjerstad have been, arguably, the best freshman hitting duo in the nation as they have both notched more than 55 starts each and are hitting .340 or higher.
Martin’s .344 average is tops on the team, while Kjerstad is hitting .340 with a team-leading 14 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Both averages are the highest among all freshmen in the SEC and top 20 in the country.
With their new distinction, Martin and Kjerstad become the 20th and 21st Freshman All-Americans in program history, following teammate Dominic Fletcher, who was the lone Freshman All-American on last year’s squad.
It’s also the first time since 2011 that Arkansas has had two or more players named Freshman All-Americans in the same season.
Kjerstad, who has been at or near the top of all offensive categories this year, was tabbed as the SEC’s Freshman of the Year in May after hitting .322 in conference play with five home runs, 21 RBIs and seven walks.
Overall, his .340 average is good for 10th in the league and he has top 10 totals in runs scored (61), hits (81), slugging (.576), RBIs (54), home runs (14) and total bases (137).
Last week in the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional, Kjerstad hit his 13th and 14th home run of the year, setting a new Arkansas freshman record for home runs set by Zack Cox in 2009.
He’s also set new freshman records in hits, total bases, and hit by pitches (18).
As for Martin, the Lonoke, Arkansas native has burst onto the scene with similar numbers to Kjerstad.
Entering the College World Series, Martin has played in 61 games and has registered 77 hits, 12 doubles, 13 home runs and 46 RBIs. In seven of his last 12 games dating back to May 19, Martin has notched a multi-hit game and is hitting .373 during that span, leading all Razorbacks.
Martin was named to the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team at the end of the regular season as his .333 average in conference play was best among all league freshmen.
Kjerstad, Martin and the Razorbacks head to Omaha, Nebraska this week to play in the College World Series with their first game set for Sunday against Texas at 1 p.m.
Arkansas will be playing in its ninth College World Series in program history and fifth under coach Dave Van Horn.
Knight named first team All-American by writers
FAYETTEVILLE — Blaine Knight was named to the All-America first team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers, it was announced Wednesday.
Knight, a junior right-hander, is one of seven starting pitchers on the NCBWA first team. Other starters are Auburn’s Casey Mize, Florida’s Brady Singer, Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich, Southern Miss’ Nick Sandlin, Stetson’s Logan Gilbert and UC Irvine’s Andre Pallante.
Voters were asked to select eight starting pitchers during the voting process, which ended last week. Other Arkansas players on the NCBWA ballot were second baseman Carson Shaddy, third baseman Casey Martin and outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Martin and Kjerstad were voted to the NCBWA Freshman All-America team.
Knight is 12-0 this season with a 2.84 ERA in 16 starts. He is one win shy of tying the school record for wins in a single season and is expected to start the Razorbacks’ game against Texas on Sunday at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
The Bryant native previously was named second-team All-America by Baseball America and Perfect Game, and to the third team by Collegiate Baseball.
Arkansas has had 23 individuals named All-America 28 times. Prior to Knight, Andrew Benintendi, the 2015 winner of the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award as national player of the year, was the Razorbacks’ most recent All-American.
