Interview: Texas 4-Star 2018 CB Byron Hanspard Jr Gives Insight to Arkansas Razorbacks Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Arkansas Razorbacks strong start to the 2018 recruiting class got a big boost on Wednesday when Texas Class of 2018 cornerback Byron “BJ” Hanspard Jr. verbally committed to the Hogs. The addition of the DeSoto High School standout now gives the Hogs four total commits with three of the four being ranked as four-star prospects.

Hanspard’s notoriety on the gridiron grew into legendary status during the 2016 season helping the Eagles to a 16-0 record capturing a Texas 6A state title with a 38-29 win over Steele High School. The Eagles shutdown corner filled up the stat sheet with 40 tackles, 25 solo, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 12 passes broken up, and three interceptions. Offers started pouring in for the 6-0, 175 pound, talent securing 10 offers by the beginning of February (2017). The list of hopeful schools has grown since then to 16 reported offers with Oregon, Indiana, Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Colorado, Northwestern, Houston, Jackson State, Texas-San Antonio, North Texas, and Mississippi State being among the many. The top two schools per Hanspard came down to Arkansas and Oklahoma State.

The Hogs got two early verbal commitments to their 2018 class from in-state quarterback Connor Noland (Greenwood) and Lovejoy High School (TX) linebacker Bumper Pool. The two four-stars have been actively recruiting other players helping land three-star Illinois tight end Luke Ford on Tuesday and Hanspard the next day.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized Q&A interview, I sat down with Hanspard some 30 minutes after verbally committing to Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema to get the inside scoop on how the Razorbacks won him over.

Interview

Byron, congratulations on your commitment.

“Thank you.”

Let’s get down to it. What influenced you to commit Arkansas?

“Everything about the entire Razorback family made me commit. There is not a place like Arkansas you can find every day.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I just got off the phone with Coach B (Bret Bielema) about 30 minutes ago. He was very excited about my commitment.”

You said Coach Bielema was happy, what did he say to you when you committed?

“When I first told him he said ‘are you kidding me?’ I told him I was verbally committed and to put me down on the list with the other guys.”

How did the decision to commit come to you?

“After the long drive home (from Arkansas) and praying about night after night. I’ve spent several nights praying for confirmation that this is where I need to be to make a positive impact. That is what sealed the deal.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

“Life changing. I knew that when I made that phone call my life would be changed and for the better.”

Is there a sense of relief, that to some extent, your recruiting process is over?

“Yes, sir. It is. A big relief actually. The process is stressful. I pray for everyone that goes through it. I understand their struggle and pain.”

You just unofficially visited Arkansas yesterday. Obviously it went well, but how did the trip go?

“It was great. I went up there with my family. We saw everything together. They saw what I had seen before and like about the school and program.”

Were there any other schools that made this decision a little bit tougher for you?

“Yes, sir. Arkansas was high on recruiting me. They were serious. Oklahoma State gave good interest as well. Arkansas set the bar high with everything that they have done.”

Have you started thinking about being an early enrollee at Arkansas?

“I’m not sure right now.”

Did the other Arkansas commits have any influence on your decision to commit to the Hogs?

“Yes, sir. Connor, Bumper, and Luke were in my ear giving me feedback. They were there for me the entire way through the process.”

Are you going to start recruiting other players to join you at Arkansas?

“Yes, sir. I’m talking to Kelan Walker trying to get him to change his mind to get onboard.”

I know you are also running track. How is track season going so far?

“It is going well. We have a meet on Friday at Texas Southern University in Houston.”

Have you started playing 7-on-7 yet?

“No, sir. Our 7-on-7 games have not started yet.”

Byron, again, congratulations on your commitment to Arkansas and thanks for your time today.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Hanspard family; Byron Hanspard Jr. at Arkansas.

Photo credit: Hanspard family; Byron Hanspard Jr. with Bret Bielema.