Some fans delighted, others disappointed with Hillcrest star’s school choice – Springfield News
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Springfield’s Kevin Haun does not understand what Dorial Green-Beckham was thinking.
When the Hillcrest High School wide receiver slipped on the “Mizzou” hat Wednesday morning and announced he was heading to Columbia to play at the University of Missouri, the longtime Arkansas fan almost walked out of the Hillcrest gym.
“I was in disbelief that a wide receiver of his caliber wouldn’t pick an Arkansas offense that throws the ball,” Haun, a Missouri State University student, said. “DGB said he picked Missouri because it was close to home. Well, technically Arkansas is closer.”
Missouri fans, on the other hand, were overjoyed with the development. Reports had surfaced Monday that Green-Beckham was favoring the Tigers, but the fan base did not want to be overconfident heading into national signing day.
The majority of employees at Missouri Eagle, a beer distribution center in Lebanon, were pulling for Green-Beckham to sign with Mizzou. About 15 workers gathered around the television and cheers erupted when DGB pulled the hat on.
“It’s good for him,” Lebanon’s John Coffman said. “After seeing him personally, I mean, he’s the best high school player I’ve ever seen.”
“To have him go to the school I love the most and stay in state, it’s great.”
Coffman said, as reports signaling DGB-to-Mizzou came in this week, he was growing cautiously more optimistic. He said seeing John Beckham in a red tie during the ceremony made him nervous, though, that Arkansas would be the choice.
Beckham said later it’s the only tie he owns.
Green-Beckham narrowed his college choices to Alabama, Arkansas, Mizzou, Oklahoma and Texas in January. The other schools all finished tied for second, Green-Beckham said Wednesday.
“All the Hog fans, I enjoyed being around them,” Green-Beckham said. “But staying home seemed like the right fit.”
That does not soften the blow for diehards like Haun.
“I wish him the best, but honestly Arkansas was the better choice,” Haun said. “But one person can not make or break a team.”