Ashdown outfielder commits to Arkansas

Braylon Bishop

— Ashdown outfielder Braylon Bishop is following his cousin's lead.

Bishop, a freshman, committed to play baseball at Arkansas on Saturday, six days after defensive back LaDarrius Bishop committed to play football for the Razorbacks.

Braylon Bishop (6-foot, 175 pounds) bats and throws left-handed, and also was being recruited by LSU and Texas A&M. He plays summer baseball for the Arkansas Sticks.

"When you think of a left-handed guy in the middle of the lineup, he's what you think of," said Chase Brewster, head coach of the Arkansas Sticks. "He hits for power in the 3-4 hole and drives runs in. He does a really good job of hitting with runners on base."

Bishop is part of an athletic family. His older brother, Tahjnick Bishop, is a freshman cornerback at Louisiana-Monroe. Older cousin Cedrick Harris played at LSU and another cousin, Jaden Hill, is committed to play baseball at LSU.

But LaDarrius Bishop's commitment to the Razorbacks likely had a big impact on Braylon Bishop, Brewster said.

"I think LaDarrius committing this week probably helps, but it was just the perfect combination of (the Arkansas coaches) trying to lock up the talent in-state in the 2021 class," Brewster said. "Everyone agrees Braylon is one of the top on the list.

"They're a close family and they live together. I think it will help a lot to have someone go on campus before him."

Bishop also played quarterback for Ashdown as a freshman and helped lead the Panthers to two wins in the Class 4A playoffs. His velocity has been clocked at 88 mph from the outfield.

Bishop is Arkansas' second baseball commit in the 2021 class. Catcher Max Soliz of Houston committed last Saturday.