By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Brad Hefley made up his mind several months ago, but he couldn’t wait for Wednesday to arrive.

Hefley, a senior tight end at Joplin High School, signed a letter of intent to play football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

“At the start of the school year, I made a verbal commitment,” he said. “I’ve been waiting on this day for a long time.”

Two of Hefley’s teammates also signed letters in an afternoon ceremony in front of several students.

Offensive lineman Jordan Rainey signed with the Missouri State Bears, and wide receiver Gates Sanders joined the Pittsburg State Gorillas.

Hefley was ranked as the No. 85 athlete in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 15 recruit in Missouri. He was rated as the No. 25 middle linebacker in the country by Scout.com.

Convenience and family background helped Hefley choose Arkansas.

“It’s only an hour and half away from here, from home for family to come watch me play,” he said. “My dad actually got his doctorate degree from there, so I’ve known a lot about the college.

“I got to visit it. I love the facilities, the academics side of it. Most of all, the scheme they use and the way they use their tight ends is how I play. It’s a good fit.

Hefley also played defensive end and linebacker during his prep career that started with three years at Riverton.

“I really enjoy tight end a lot,” said Hefley, the only tight end signed by the Razorbacks. “But with my aggressiveness on the defensive side, either one would be just fine.”

“He could go offense or defense,” Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tim Horton said at an afternoon press conference. “It wouldn’t surprise me either way which side of the ball he plays.”

“When we actually started recruiting him, he was a middle linebacker and tight end, a very good football player,” Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said at the press conference.

“He’s gotten big. We had Brad in camp. He spent a lot of time down here, he’s been to a lot of our meetings, and he’s come to as many home games as he could. He’s just a guy I think has endless potential.”

Until a few days ago, Rainey also was going to sign with Arkansas.

“I was committed to Arkansas for about a year and a half,” he said. “Recently we had some issues, and Missouri State came in for the kill and I decided to sign with them.”

Rainey earned first team all-conference, all-district and Class 6 all-state honors his senior season with the Eagles. He was second team all-league his junior year when the Eagles won the Ozark Conference championship.

“They (Missouri State) are probably going to start me out at offensive tackle,” Rainey said. “I’m more of a utility player. I could play either one. I don’t have a preference. As long as I get to play, I’ll do whatever I can to help the team.”

Rainey joins former JHS offensive lineman, Harrison Menke, on the Bears’ roster.

“He was my host when I went there,” Rainey said. “I’m looking forward to playing with him.

“Missouri State is really family-oriented, not too big, not to small. They did offer a full ride, and that helps out a lot. They have great coaches. They’re happy to have me there, and I’m happy to be there.”

Sanders also earned first team all-conference honors this season, totaling 800 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in addition to being a threat on kick returns.

Pittsburg’s proximity to Joplin helped Sanders make up his mind to become a Gorilla.

“I considered a few jucos down in Texas and a few Division III schools up north,” he said. “I decided to stay close to home. There was one school that offered a full ride that was four hours away. I didn’t want to do that.”

Sanders’ PSU career likely will begin with a redshirt year.

“Unless they want me to do kick returns, there’s a chance I might do that,” he said.

“I really like the school. It’s a little bigger campus but not too big ... just the right side. And they have great football tradition there.”

Sanders is impressed with the Gorillas’ new head coach Tim Beck.

“I like him a lot,” he said. “I think he has a good offensive mind. Put up 40 (points) a game, that would be great.”

Nate Allen Sports Services contributed to this story.