Hog Futures Deon Stewart

Stewart adjusting to big-campus life

Highland receiver Deon Stewart carries the ball during the first half of play against Midland Christian Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Deon Stewart admits he has a lot to learn as he embarks on his college career, but that doesn't mean he's resigned to not contributing as a freshman.

He must get accustomed to being one of more than 26,000 students on Arkansas' sprawling campus after living in a town of about 1,000 in north central Arkansas.

Deon Stewart glance

CLASS Freshman

POSITION Wide receiver

HEIGHT/WEIGHT 5-11, 155 pounds

AGE 18 (Born May 24, 1997)

HIGH SCHOOL Highland

NOTEWORTHY Son of Marquell Billingsley and Chrissy Stewart. … Played on Highland team that finished 7-4 in 2014. … The Rebels lost to Clinton in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. … Caught 49 passes for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Also ran 27 times for 301 yards and 2 TDs. … Plans to major in either kinesiology or sports management. … Signed with the Razorbacks on Feb. 4. … Is the first player from Highland High School to sign a scholarship with the Razorbacks. Another former Highland graduate, Richard Yager, walked on and eventually earned a scholarship. Yager played from 1991 to 1993.

And then there's the football playbook, much different than the one he had at Highland, a Class 4A school.

"It's going to take some time," he said, "but once I do that, I know I'll be able to help the team."

Stewart's former high school coach, Spencer Hill, said Stewart will have no problems adjusting to the college game and could be an instant hit at wide receiver or in special teams' play.

"Deon is so calm, nothing seems to bother him," said Hill, who coached Stewart at Highland last season. "He's very cool under pressure, and I think that's why he's so good at the punt return. I think it's a good thing Deon was able to get to the campus in May. From the conversations I've had with him, he feels like it's home to him now. He seems excited to be a part of it."

Stewart caught 49 passes for 1,005 yards -- an average of 20.5 yards a reception -- and hauled in 11 touchdown passes as a senior. He also rushed 27 times for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He returned six kickoffs for 150 yards, a number held down, Hill said, because few teams would kick in Stewart's direction.

"I can't think of a bad game or even a bad practice he had all year," Hill said. "He played hard every down and he took pride in that. He was a rock for us.

"He was an explosive player for us, and I think he can be the same type of player for Arkansas as well. Any time we could get him the ball, we did. Not only could he catch the ball, we'd line him up in the backfield and let him run a few times too. He would return kickoffs and punts to give us good field position. And he was also a lock-down corner on defense. We'd give him a break on defensive occasionally, but he was such a big weapon, we wanted the ball in his hands as much as possible."

Stewart said he takes pride in his approach, which is to play every play as if it were going to be his last.

"I went all out," Stewart said. "I wanted to prove myself on every play. That's the way I think you should play."

Being in Fayetteville since May has helped Stewart learn where to go.

"The toughest adjustment I've had so far is getting used to the campus," said Stewart, 5-11, 155 pounds. "It's weird. I didn't know I'd be doing this much walking. And finding parking around here can be difficult. It's very different from what I was used to."

One thing that doesn't bother Stewart is he Razorbacks' run-first philosophy.

"I think we have a great O-line and a great group of running backs," Stewart said. "But I think when we need it, a lot of people will find out we'll have a lot of great receivers to throw to as well."

Stewart drew interest from other schools, including Arkansas State, Louisville, Ole Miss and Tulsa, but Arkansas was the only one he truly was interested in attending.

"The one thing about Arkansas that stood out the most was what life will be like for me after football," said Stewart, who plans to major in either kinesiology or sports management. "I'm confident I'll find a career that I can be proud of once I'm out of school."

Sports on 07/28/2015