TEXARKANA - Across the four local high schools, there were 14 student-athletes to sign national letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level Wednesday during National Signing Day ceremonies.
Six players from each Texas High and Pleasant Grove signed college scholarship offers, and Liberty-Eylau and Arkansas High each had one signee - both to NCAA Division I schools.
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In total seven of the national letters of intent - half of those signed by local players - were for NCAA Division I programs. L-E's Korbyn White inked with Stephen F. Austin University to play football, and AHS' Cody Adcock signed with the University of Mississippi to play baseball. From Pleasant Grove, Bruce Garrett signed with Brigham Young University and Connor Stanfill inked with the University of Louisiana-Monroe - both to continue playing football - and Jackson Cobb signed with the University of Arkansas in baseball.
Texas High had Tracy Cooper signed a football NLI with Missouri State University, and Kobe Webster signed with the University of Memphis in football.
Other non-Division I football signees from THS included Matt Arnold with Arkansas Tech University, Trestin Whitehead with Southern Nazarene University, and Marquavius Fisher with Trinity Valley Community College. Bailey Groom signed a letter of intent with Galveston College to play softball.
From Pleasant Grove, Ben Harmon signed a baseball offer with Seminole State College, K.J. Hicks signed a football NLI with Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Bre Jones signed in softball with Henderson State University.
Korbyn White, Stephen F. Austin State University
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - White led the Liberty-Eylau offensively last season with nine touchdowns in nine games.
"I'm extremely excited for Korbyn and the opportunity he's going to have down there," Liberty-Eylau head coach Klint King said. "Korbyn has worked his tail off to get to this points. I'm so happy he gets to go to a great place in Stephen F. Austin and also gets to be coached by a great coaching staff."
White will be asked to use his speed on the outside from the runningback position for second-year head coach Colby Carthel.
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity Coach Carthel and his staff have given me," White said. "I'm ready to get down there and get to work. I really connected with the coaching staff throughout my senior season. Hopefully, the guys after me will now see anything is possible. The season didn't go how we planned but I stayed the course. This is the result."
Cody Adcock, University of Mississippi
OXFORD, Miss. -Adcock signed to join the Ole Miss Rebels baseball team as a right-handed picture.
"Cody has been a model player for us since he's been in our program," Arkansas High head coach Layne Berry said. "I'm excited for his family, Razorback baseball and for Texarkana. That Adcock family has had some tradition with good ball players, we had his brother Dylan sign two years ago. He's a great kid that comes from a great family, Ole Miss got a good one."
Adcock finished 2019 with a 5-2 record and a 1.54 ERA for Arkansas High.
"This is big for our program," Berry said. "Hopefully, we can build off of players like Cody, playing big-time baseball. If our guys have dreams of playing college baseball, we're going to try to do everything in our power to make that happen for them."
Tracy Cooper, Missouri State University
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Cooper had a breakout senior year for Texas High in the fall, compiling 1,525 yards and 14 touchdowns on 244 carries.
"The success Tracy's had and the success he's going to have is well deserved," THS running backs coach Lane Elliott said. "He's one of the hardest-working kids and one of the best students in our school. Whether it came to athletics, academics, I didn't have to worry about Tracy; he took care of his business."
Cooper will be installed in a new offense at Missouri State University, which had a coaching staff overhaul after the fall season.
"I really liked the school; the team felt like a family and community," Cooper said about Missouri State University. "They changed coaching staffs, but one coached stayed and that was the one who recruited me. I'm excited to meet the new coaches and the players.
"At the beginning, my time here was tough. Each year, it got better and better. I thank my coaches because they kept me going forward and taught me everything that I know."
Kobe Webster, University of Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Webster averaged over 18 yards per catch his senior year when he broke the school record for receiving TDs.
"Kobe gets an idea in his mind, he sets goals, and you can find it deep down in him the will to succeed," Tigers receivers coach Kyle Dickerson said. "He's going to challenge you, as a coach, but if you get into his circle, he's going to do everything he can to help you and help himself.
"He broke our school record for touchdowns and came close to the receiving yardage record."
Webster finished with 58 receptions for 1,056 yards and 15 scores (16 total TDs). He chose Memphis for the atmosphere and proximity to Texarkana.
"I really liked that Memphis is good, sport-wise and academically," Webster said. "I like the atmosphere of the campus and the city. It's close to home, so I have family members who can see my home games; that plays a big part.
"I've had a great experience here at Texas High. They taught me a lot; they taught me how to be a man, in a short period of time, and how to handle a lot of adversity. I'll always appreciate them for that."
Bruce Garrett, BYU
PROVO, Utah - Garrett will be a running back for the Cougars and is planning on majoring in business.
"BYU is an awesome place," Garrett said. "The weather is great, and I love the state of Utah. The people there are genuine and nice. I don't think I would have fit in better at any other place."
Garrett also had interest from Arkansas, Baylor, Southern Methodist University and Illinois State.
"My goal is to play as soon as possible, and I'll get the chance this year," Garrett said. "I am looking forward to being on my own, making new friends and enjoying new experiences."
Head football coach Josh Gibson coach Garrett throughout his high school playing career. Garrett was an integral part of the Hawks' three state championship appearances (2017-2019) and two state titles (2017, 2019).
"The number one thing about Bruce is that he is selfless," Gibson said. "He is the most decorated running back to come out of Pleasant Grove, but people would not know it. He is not an ego-type guy. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and is an explosive, powerful runner."
Bruce is the son of Keith Scott Garrett and April Joy Francis.
Connor Stanfill, ULM
MONROE, La. - Stanfill will be a lineman for the Warhawks and is planning on majoring in accounting.
"I chose UL-Monroe because I get to go back home," Stanfill said. "I am originally from Monroe. It's just a big family atmosphere down there, and I just love it; it's awesome. My ultimate goal is to impact people. I might not be the best or biggest football player on the team, but I want people to know who I am because of the way I do things in the community. I am looking forward to having a different schedule."
Stanfill has been a top lineman for the Hawks and played a huge role in Pleasant Grove's state title runs.
"Connor has been our most dominant lineman in the last couple of years," Gibson. "UL-Monroe is getting a great player who knows how to make an impact, not just on the football field, but within his team and community. He is one of the best servant leaders that I have ever been around. He is the total package as a person and as a player."
Connor is the son of Quinn and Irene Stanfill.
Jackson Cobb, University of Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Cobb will play baseball for the Razorbacks and is planning on majoring in finance, investments and management.
"Arkansas has been my dream school since I was a little kid," Cobb said. "I am following in my dad's footsteps. They have one of the most highly touted baseball programs in the nation. There is no better place than Arkansas. My ultimate goal is to be drafted and to make it into Major League Baseball. I am looking forward to learning and being on my own."
Cobb's father played baseball for Arkansas for a semester before going to Seminole State.
"Jackson is an unbelievable athlete," Hawks head baseball coach Riley Fincher said. "He started for us when he was a freshman. To see the way he has progressed with his athletic ability and strength, leaves no doubt in my mind that he has the tools and confidence to compete at Arkansas as a freshman."
Jackson is the son of Mike Cobb and Kristi Cobb.
Matt Arnold, Arkansas Tech University
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Arnold came back to football his junior year and dedicated himself to achieving a scholarship over the past 12 months.
"It's no coincidence that Matt's sitting here today with his family; it's the product of true hard work and dedication," THS co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach A.J. Wilson said. "Matt plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. He came to me last year and said he wanted to be one who signed a letter of intent as a senior.
"Matt was a special piece of what we did on defense this past year. Arkansas Tech is getting a steal, and I'm very excited to see what he's going to do there."
Arnold plans to make an impact for the Wonder Boys in Russellville, Ark.
"I love the program and love the school; everything about it felt like home when I took my visit," Arnold said. "I love what they've got going. They lost a few games last year, and a lot of those were close games. I fell like I can come in and make a difference.
"Texas High has helped prepare me a lot; we've got great coaches, great teammates and what Coach Stanford is doing for the team is great."
Trestin Whitehead, Southern Nazarene University
BETHANY, Okla. - Whitehead was consistently in the film room every week, preparing for the Tigers' next opponent. He moved from a linebacker position to interior defensive line, and he thrived at the position.
"Trestin was so good at preparing, each and every week; I would get a text from him every Sunday, asking when the film was going to be up so he could start studying," co-defensive coordinator James Hawkins said. "He always was a worker; it's rare to find that strong of a work ethic in someone of his age. We're very proud of him to have the opportunity to play at the next level."
Whitehead noted several reasons he selected Southern Nazarene as the college he wanted to play for and attend.
"Southern Nazarene has a really nice campus, and they're trying to change the program," Whitehead said. "I really like the direction they're going, and they're a big christian university; I like that about them, too. Texas High and my coaches have taught me a lot: they showed me how to work hard and the right path to take."
Marquavius Fisher, Trinity Valley CC
ATHENS, Texas - Fisher was a leader for the Tiger secondary and finished his senior season with three interceptions.
"Marquavius has grown up a lot of his high school career," Texas High co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach A.J. Wilson said. "He decided he wanted to play a year at Trinity Valley and continue the recruiting process. He's a great athlete, and Fisher was the quarterback of our secondary."
Fisher plans to play at Trinity Valley in Athens, Texas, and garner attention from larger 4-year schools while playing for the Cardinals.
"When I went on my visit, the coaches made me feel at home, already," Fisher said about TVCC. "The players I talked to and met told me how things are with the program, and I felt the brotherhood there, like I did at Texas High."
K.J. Hicks, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
DURANT, Okla. - Hicks will play football for the Savage Storm and is planning on majoring in physical therapy.
"Coming from a big, family-oriented high school, I went on a visit and Southeastern Oklahoma felt like home," Hicks said. "Everyone is close-knit, including the coaches. I am looking forward to playing college football and furthering my education."
Hicks' main goal is to get his four-year degree.
"They are getting a dynamic playmaker in KJ," Gibson said. "When he touches the ball, special things happen. He is the fastest running back that we've had in the last couple of years. He is one of the strongest pound-for-pound players that we've ever coached. KJ is a happy person; he always has a smile on his face. He is a friend to everyone and will be a great teammate."
KJ is the son of Casandra and Kemya Hicks.
Ben Harmon, Seminole State College
SEMINOLE, Okla. - Harmon will play baseball for the Raiders and is planning on majoring in kinesiology.
"I chose Seminole State because it fits me best," Harmon said. "They play old school baseball; they grind and play tough. I will be close to a lot of good friends of mine. Hopefully, I will go there two years and then go to a big university afterward.
"My ultimate goal is to give it all I have and see how good I can get. I am going to see what happens and, hopefully, I can go to one of my dream schools like Texas. Hopefully, I can get drafted into Major League Baseball. I am looking forward to getting my studies going and meeting a lot of friends."
Harmon plays third base and bats leadoff for the Hawks. He has played an important role in Pleasant Grove's postseason runs.
"Seminole State is getting an outstanding young man," Fincher said. "Ben is a heckuva competitor, and we are excited for him. He is going to make their program a winner."
Ben is the son of Kellie McDonald and Chris Harmon.
Bre Jones, Henderson State University
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Jones will play softball for the Lady Reddies and is planning on majoring in nursing. She has interest in becoming a stenographer or a radiologist.
"I chose Henderson State because it is close to home and has a good vibe," Jones said. "I feel like I fit there the best. I am looking forward to meeting new people and being on my own."
Becca Collom is the head softball coach for the Lady Hawks.
"Bre is a great kid, and she has grown a bunch," Collom said. "She has come a long way on the softball field and as a person. She works hard, and I am glad that she is going to get this opportunity. Bre is athletic, fierce and is fun to watch. I have enjoyed my time with her."
Bre is the daughter of Cory and Stephanie Jones.
Bailey Groom, Galveston College
GALVESTON, Texas - Groom is a 4-year starter for Texas High and has been notarized as freshman of the year and an all-district player every season.
"Players like Bailey don't come around very often; she has all the qualities a coach wants in a player," Lady Tiger softball coach Robbie Hatfield said. "I knew about Bailey, and everything I had heard was true when she came in as a freshman. She was very mature, and has done an outstanding job for us. She's been a great leader for us, on and off the field."
Groom wasn't sold on Galveston College until her visit, when she discovered she would be a part of something special with the Whitecaps.
"I wasn't sure about Galveston at first, but I really fell in love with the coaches, the environment and the program," Groom said. "I felt like I've grew a lot at Texas High, not only in my softball but my leadership abilities. I've made a lot of bonds that can never be broken; I'm forever grateful for Texas High softball."