FAYETTEVILLE — A text message from Arkansas quarterback commitment Ty Storey helped convince Highland receiver Deon Stewart to pledge to the Hogs on April 26.
“He sent me a long text and I read it,” Stewart said. “I just kept reading it and there were a lots of points that stood out to me that just really hit the spot.”
Stewart, 6-1, 163, 4.48 seconds in the 40 yard dash, committed to the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Louisville, Tulsa, Southern Miss and Arkansas State. Storey stressed the family atmosphere in Fayetteville.
“He was pretty much talking abut how the coaches all care about our families,” Stewart said. “They’re all personable with us and talking about life after college and how the town of Fayetteville and Arkansas will take care of me.”
He and Storey have been working together in Arkansas’ three day camp that started Sunday and ends today.
“It’s going to take a little bit to get use to each other,” Stewart said. “He has to kind of get use to my speed and I have to get use to the way he throws. We’ve been working and every time he goes up I go up. We’re just trying to get that special connection.”
Stewart recorded 36 receptions for 757 yards and 8 touchdowns and rushing 27 times for 448 yards and 4 touchdowns. He had 6 interceptions as a defensive back and was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All Arkansas Team.
The reception to his commitment from the community has positive.
“It’s been great, everyone have been saying they’re going to come up here and watch me when I get up here,” he said. “I think everyone is happy that I decided to stay in state. I’m just glad my friends are happy and they’ll come see me to.”
He’s looking froward to working with receivers coach Michael Smith on a full time basis.
“I like coach Smith a lot,” Stewart said. “I feel like me and him are going to have a real good relationship once I get here. We already have a good relationship, but I think once I get there and see him everyday we should have a great relationship.”