FAYETTEVILLE — Springdale defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols’ national letter of intent had the least distance to travel of any of the seven Arkansas signees Wednesday.
But rest assured it was the end of a long journey for Nichols (6-4, 275 pounds), who turned from a marginal prospect two years ago to someone who accumulated nearly 20 offers and had a monster senior season.
“This is just a great day for my family and I, and definitely a dream come true for me,” Nichols said. “I am going to get to play for the team I grew up wanting to play for. I’m going to be a Razorback.
“I worked so hard to get to this point and it is so rewarding to know that all the work I put in, all the extra time working on things after practice, all the time and effort has paid off.”
Nichols, who moved to Springdale from Little Rock a few years ago, had 69 tackles, 11 sacks and 38 quarterback hurries his senior season.
Those numbers were up from 54 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and 6 quarterback hurries as a junior.
During his time at Springdale, Nichols helped the Bulldogs - who were winless in 2014 - from a 2-9 mark in 2015 to a 6-5 one in 2017.
“I felt like I had a really good season individually, but I give so much credit to my coaches and my teammates for putting me in the right position to make plays,” Nichols said. “I think we really helped revive what has been a great program throughout the years.”
Nichols believes Morris and his staff will be able to add several key pieces by the Feb. 7 national signing date.
“I think were got some really good pieces already and I know that are going to work hard to add some great guys in the next couple of months,” Nichols said.
Arkansas fired head coach Bret Bielema on Nov. 24. He was replaced by former SMU coach Chad Morris two weeks ago.
“I really love the new staff,” Nichols said “They are all young and energetic and have great personalities. It’s clear that care about their players as a person and not just a football player and that really comes across when you talk to them.”
Morris is still in the process of hiring his defensive coordinator and rest of the defensive staff.
“Coach Morris hasn’t hired his defensive coaches yet, but he let me know that he is going to hire great coaches to compete in the SEC,” Nichols said. “They are going to be aggressive and intense.”
Nichols was hearing from other schools and friends that maybe he should re-open his recruiting process and look around.
“Even through all the negatives and coaching changes and people in my ear saying I’m making the wrong move, I know that this is the place for me to be and I know that with the help of Coach Morris and the new staff that we are going to put the Arkansas Razorbacks back at the top,” Morris said.
“A national championship is the goal and more and more to come after we win that first one.”