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Four Local Stars Sign to Play Football for Hogs

Austin Allen, Brooks Ellis, Alex Brignoni and Drew Morgan are living out the dream of every kid in Arkansas, playing for their favorite college team.

Four local high school stars have signed to play football for the University of Arkansas next year.

Drew Morgan from Greenwood was the latest Hog commit, a two-time MVP of the State Championship Game. He won the Landers Award as the state’s best high school player following his senior season in which he contributed on offense and defense to Greenwood’s 6A state championship and 15-0 record. He also was named the state’s Offensive Player of the Year after making 83 receptions for 1,122 yards and 14 touchdowns and 82 rushes for 764 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“They have a great family background and coach Bielema really brings everybody into one place at one time,” said Morgan.

Then there's the Fayetteville three.

Brooks Ellis signed as a linebacker. As a senior, he was named to the all-state team despite missing the first two games after he registered 114 tackles, 16.0 for loss with 4.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery on the way to the state title.

“I'm just so excited to be here with all my family and friends watching me,” said Ellis. “This is such an accomplishment for me and I'm so blessed to have all these people supporting me.”

Alex Brignoni signed as a safety. His senior year he was named to the all-state team after recording 89 tackles, six pass breakups and five interceptions.

“It felt like forever for this day to come,” said Brignoni. “I'm glad it finally came and I can put it on paper and go play for the Hogs.”

Quarterback Austin Allen was selected as Arkansas’ 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year. He was the 17th-ranked pro-style quarterback in the country and No. 3 player in Arkansas by 247Sports.com, and Rivals.com also tabbed him as the No. 3 player in the state. He was an all-state player in his senior season, when he was 233-of-366 passing for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns.

“It's a job well done, honestly,” said Allen. “ It's a lot of hard work getting a college scholarship. Once it happened I was just relieved that the process is done. I'm ready to get on to the next chapter in my life.”

These four are living out the dream of every kid in Arkansas, playing for their favorite college team.

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