Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 — No. 8: Heber Springs Running Back Braylon Mitchell

Garrett Uekman begins his senior season carefree. The Catholic tight end eagerly accepted a scholarship offer from Arkansas June 10. The offer and subsequent commitment ended six months of anxiety.

“It was a big relief,” Uekman said. “It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s where I always wanted to go. It feels good.”

LSU offered Uekman in January, but Uekman, who owns 4.7 speed and a 3.6 GPA, was holding out for the Hogs. As summer approached, he got nervous.

“I wanted to commit before my senior year,” said Uekman, a 6-foot-3, 235-pounder. “When (Arkansas) was waiting so long I thought, ‘Do I want to wait or make a decision?’ When Arkansas finally offered, I decided to commit.”

The future Razorback ranks No. 6 in the Fox/VYPE Top 16 Central Arkansas senior football players’ countdown.

Uekman shined in Catholic’s offense last season as the third receiving option. He snagged 43 catches for 418 yards and three touchdowns. His longest touchdown of the season was a 40-yarder against Bryant, and the sure-handed Uekman collected 7 catches for 83 yards in a 35-28 upset win at Cabot.

With departed receivers Paul Drake and John Springer getting the bulk of the touches, Uekman gladly blocked, using his imposing size and strength (290-pound bench press). This season Catholic coach Scooter Register promises to use Uekman more in the passing game.

“I don’t care, I’ll do anything he wants me to do,” Uekman said. “I’ll catch the ball or block. Whatever is going to help the team.”

Uekman, a VYPE Super Squad member, teams up with star quarterback Taylor Bartlett to lead an offense with holes to fill.

“We are going to have a really good defense. They have most everybody coming back,” Uekman said. “We have some guys that have to step up (on offense), but we have some good receivers coming up. We are really experienced at quarterback, so we should be OK.”

The Rockets beat Fayetteville 38-21 in a first-round playoff game but lost 28-17 a week later at Southside. Uekman hopes the Rockets playoff run extends past the second week this year.

“I won (a state title) in basketball, so it would be awesome to win one in football, too,” Uekman said. “It would be a big deal. I think we are going to have a chance. When we get in the playoffs, we have to play well and execute the game plan and not get nervous and just play football.”