By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Dorial Green-Beckham’s recruitment had been a long and well-documented process, with suitors from around the country lining up in hopes of winning the Hillcrest (Mo.) wide receiver’s services.
But when it came time to finally announce his decision in front of 1,500 onlookers in the school’s gymnasium and with an ESPNU television audience tuned in Wednesday morning, one of the nation’s most coveted players kept his choice simple.
“I’ll be continuing my education at,” Green-Beckham said as he reached back for a hat handed to him by a family member, “the University of Missouri.”
Missouri, which will begin play in the Southeastern Conference next fall, scored its first league victory when Green-Beckham revealed he was choosing the Tigers over Arkansas. The decision led to a chorus of cheers from classmates, who had assembled for what was described as a historic event at the school. And it likely invoked some boos about 150 miles south in Fayetteville, where Arkansas wanted to add the potential impact player to its roster.
Green-Beckham said his familiarity and comfort with Missouri’s staff — as well as the chance to remain in his home state — proved to be the deciding factors. He also was considering Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama.
“Just his personality is what I really like about him,” Green-Beckham said about Missouri coach Gary Pinkel. “How nice he is. How helpful all the coaching staff (is) and how they treat their players. All the Hog fans, I liked being around them. But staying at home was the right fit.”
Green-Beckham said he finally reached that decision Monday, a day after returning from an official visit to Missouri.
He slept on the decision that night and felt just as good about it the next morning. So he informed his family.
John Beckham, Hillcrest’s football coach and Green-Beckham’s father, believes it was a great choice.
“It wasn’t who had the biggest stadium or who had the most trophies in the trophy case,” Beckham said. “It really came down to he felt very comfortable with the Missouri staff and the people there. It was just a good fit for him.”
The Tigers landed a player who is rated No. 1 in the country by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound receiver earned USA Today and Parade Magazine player of the year honors after catching 119 passes for 2,233 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Hillcrest High School.
They were accolades Arkansas wanted in its rotation at wide receiver after losing seniors Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Greg Childs. The Razorbacks hosted Green-Beckham on campus for an official visit two weeks ago and were regarded by recruiting analysts as the favorite as late as last week.
But Green-Beckham continued to point to his comfort level with Missouri’s coaching staff as the reason he signed with the Tigers. His father speculated a little later that former Arkansas assistant Garrick McGee’s departure for the head coaching position at Alabama-Birmingham may have played a role in the star prospect choosing the Tigers, too.
McGee and running backs coach Tim Horton had been the lead recruiters for Arkansas during Green-Beckham’s career.
“It just, it really came down to people he’s going to be with and his comfort level,” Beckham said. “He has been recruited by these schools since he was a freshman. He’s built up quite a relationship with some of those people.”
It’s clear Missouri will welcome him with open arms, too.
Green-Beckham’s high school teammates began chanting “DGB-MIZ” a few minutes after his decision became public. A few hours later, the phrase “Congrats MIZ-DGB” was unveiled on a Springfield billboard, according to PowerMizzou.com.
“I just felt like it was the place for me, just to stay home and have all these people come out here and just watch me play,” Green-Beckham said.
