Hayden commits to Hogs for 2017
Bielema sways Gryphons star
Chase Hayden heard the Hogs calling. And he responded with a big yes.
Hayden, the standout senior running back from St. George’s, announced Sunday evening that he would play his college football at the University of Arkansas.
As is customary these days, Hayden announced his choice on Twitter with a simple message: “WOO PIG SOOIE!”
He had offers from a host of schools and chose the Razorbacks over Missouri, Oklahoma State, Michigan and Illinois.
Verbal commitments are non-binding, but Hayden is expected to make it official on National Signing Day in February. He unofficially visited Fayetteville in
June and said his closeness with the coaching staff was the deciding factor.
“It was my relationship with coach B (Bret Bielema) and the running backs coach (Reggie Mitchell)” he said. “They started recruiting me about four months ago. They like my running back style ... and I feel like I’ll be able to play very early.”
The 6-foot 185-pound Hayden is rated as a fourstar recruit by both Rivals and 24/7 Sports and earlier this month was named one of the top-10 performers at The Opening, a combine held earlier this month that invites only the best of the best football players.
“I think that did cement him (as a top prospect), said his dad, former University of Tennessee and NFL running back Aaron Hayden.
“That elevated him to a super-high echelon and I think it caused some people to reassess. But he was focused on the people who focused on him, who made him feel like a priority.
“Coach B is a normal guy, not a figurehead, and that was super important. They talked for two hours about football, life ... not a lot of coaches do that.”
Hayden was named Mr. Football in Division 2-A after rushing for an area-best 2,511 yards (averaging 9.8 per carry) and scoring 31 touchdowns in 14 games. He had 266 yards in the title game, a 50-20 victory over Northpoint.
Hayden is also the reigning Mr. Basketball in D2-A and said he’s spoken with the Razorbacks coaching staff about walking on. He’s the 17th commitment in Arkansas’ class of 2017.