Fayetteville tight end C.J. O’Grady announced his oral commitment to Arkansas on Twitter during an unofficial visit on Wednesday.
O’Grady, 6-4, 230, 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, choose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Louisville and others.
“I chose Arkansas because it is close to home and won’t be difficult for my family to come see me play,” O’Grady said. “I also chose Arkansas because I know they have struggled a little bit in the past few years and I wanted to try and help bring things to the table to build something strong for this team.”
As a junior, he recorded 45 receptions for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns, and was named to the All-Arkansas Preps team in his first year to play tight end.
His late father, Larry Marks, lettered for the basketball Hogs from 1988 to 1990.
“I’ve always been a fan and I wanted to try and start a legacy,” O’Grady said. “My dad went here, I’m going here, and maybe someday my kids will go here.”
Bielema currently has five tight ends — Travis Beckum, Garrett Graham, Jake Byrne (Rogers), Lance Kendrick and Jake Pedersen — on NFL rosters. O’Grady said that made a big impact on his decision.
He said Bielema was happy when he told him of the pledge.
“He had the biggest smile on his face and nearly crushed me when giving me a hug,” O’Grady said.
O’Grady becomes the Hogs’ ninth commitment. Oral commitments are nonbinding.