Arkansas Football: An Open Letter to Wednesday’s Signers-On

Dear Future Razorbacks:

As I write this letter, it is the eve of National Signing Day—the day when you’ll ink your name on a document that officially declares your intention to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

All of you from this highly-ranked class have had offers to sign with other schools; that you decided to come to Arkansas instead is something all of us fans do appreciate. This is likely the first major decision of your young life, and that you decided to come to Arkansas is a decision that I hope you will never have reason to regret. 

I would like to share with you now some hopes, wishes, and observations from a fan’s point-of-view about the next four or five years ahead of you.

I hope that first and foremost ,you take advantage of the opportunity to get an education that will serve you for a lifetime. I have a degree from the University of Arkansas,  and I want you to have one too!  Get your name on Senior Walk and you’ll be proud that you did.

Take the time to learn about the history of the University of Arkansas athletics. You are now part of that long red and white line of Hogs that goes back over 100 years. If you don’t know who Clyde Scott, Lance Alworth, Bill Montgomery, Joe Ferguson, Steve Little, Steve Atwater, and Billy Ray Smith Jr. are (to name but a few), then educate yourself.

And while we are here on this subject of tradition, please don’t give into the latest fashion trend and insist on radically changing the traditional red and white (rumors are black is being considered) uniforms of the Hogs.

Please don’t get to personally know the Fayetteville Police Department during your years in Fayetteville, or when you are come back for a visit. (Yeah, I am thinking of you Matt Jones.) You make yourself look bad, you hurt your team, and you hurt your family members.  

If you find yourself in the championship game in Atlanta, which we all hope you do, please, please don’t try to field a punt behind the ten yard line. It didn’t work out well the last time it was attempted, and won’t likely work well the next time.  Also, fumbling in Knoxville within the last two minutes isn’t a good idea either!

Know that we all want you to play lights out for every game, but take note that for us fans a win in Oxford next season would be, dare I say, special. Real special.  Precious, as well.

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