FAYETTEVILLE — Excitement spread from one end of the University of Arkansas campus to the other last July when Greenwood's Connor Noland committed to play for the Razorbacks.
On one end, football coaches had secured the state's top passer in his class. About a mile south, baseball coaches envisioned another quality right-hander on the mound.
Noland, who signed his national letter of intent Wednesday while on a family vacation to Italy, will attempt to walk a tightrope by playing football and baseball in the SEC.
Arkansas coaches from both sports tag-teamed to recruit Noland. Ironically, his initial recruiters - football assistant Dan Enos and baseball assistant Tony Vitello - no longer are with the Razorbacks. Also gone is head football coach Bret Bielema, replaced by Chad Morris earlier this month.
Shifting staffs didn't cause Noland to waver from his commitment, nor did Arkansas' new football staff decide to go a different direction recruiting a quarterback. Speaking Wednesday, Morris said Noland fits within his style of offense and likened him to quarterbacks he has worked with in the past - Clemson's Tajh Boyd and SMU's Ben Hicks, players who were good passers and could "run enough to keep people honest."
But mostly, Morris indicated he was attracted to Noland's character traits developed as a two-sport standout.
On the football field, Noland helped Greenwood to three consecutive state championship games, including a 52-14 win over Pine Bluff in the 6A final earlier this month. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns in the championship game and stands a good chance to be named the state's player of the year.
As a pitcher, Noland has starred not only at Greenwood, but also for the Arkansas Sticks summer travel team, which includes 10 players committed to SEC programs. Noland had a 3-1 record with a 1.29 ERA for the Sticks this summer, and a 8.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 27 innings.
He is a power pitcher who can locate his 88-90 mph fastball on both sides of the plate, and complements that with a strong breaking ball. Perfect Game ranks him the fifth-best prospect in Arkansas.
"I want a competitor," Morris said. "I want someone who wants to get out there and wants to compete. If you get caught up in all the dynamics of the measurements, I think you lose focus of what’s below and what’s inside. You want someone who has great heart and a great competitive drive about themselves.
"I'm really excited about him. I had a chance to go and spend some time with him and his family. I'm really excited about his competitive background that he brings. I think he's going to be a great player for us."
Equally excited about Noland is Arkansas pitching coach Wes Johnson, who echoed Morris' thoughts about Noland's competitive nature.
"I always like to see how competitive they are and how they handle adversity," Johnson said. "I want to tell you that you can check that box off. He's extremely competitive and extremely intense, and handles adversity.
"Not only is he competitive - it's a weird thing and you've just got to see it - but he gets the guys around him better and he's raising everybody's competitive level. Those are the guys who are special. Those are the guys who get the chance to play two sports in the SEC.
"Connor Noland has the kind of stuff, presence and awareness to come in as a freshman and pitch immediately."
Johnson had been on the job at Arkansas for less than a month when Noland asked to meet him in the summer of 2016.
"The young man comes in, sits down, opens up this leather binder and had like 20 questions written down," Johnson said. "It just raised (my opinion of him) to another level.
"I guess we answered those questions right. He was well-prepared, very well-spoken and had a plan. I can't say enough about him."
Those in baseball circles give differing answers when asked whether Noland will be drafted in June, but the general consensus is that his desire is to have the college experience.
Johnson said coaches have yet to discuss the logistics of Noland playing two sports. Baseball season overlaps with football spring practice, and football season overlaps with baseball's fall practices.
It has been more than 20 years since a quarterback, Barry Lunney Jr., played baseball at Arkansas. Like Noland, Lunney was a pitcher.
"It is better for those guys to be a pitcher than to be a position player," Johnson said of baseball players who play football. "A lot of people think throwing that football is different from the other, but...we think it's going to help him get ready (for baseball). We want him throwing that football.
"There is still going to be a transition to get in shape for baseball, but he'll be a quick study. This is a young man that was going to 7-on-7 and then trying to find a way to get to a summer league game that night. He's been doing it awhile."