Arkansas

Arkansas RB Hill blames ‘bad agent’ for FSU exit

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2024

Arkansas RB Hill blames ‘bad agent’ for FSU exit

David Hale, ESPN Staff WriterAug 9, 2024, 04:18 PM ET
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- College football reporter.
- Joined ESPN in 2012.
- Graduate of the University of Delaware.

Former Florida State running back Rodney Hill blames a “bad agent” for his circuitous path through the transfer portal to Arkansas.

Hill, who served as the Seminoles’ No. 3 tailback and worked on kick returns last season, told Arkansas media Friday that he was forced to leave Florida State after coaches there learned an agent had been contacting other teams to gauge interest in Hill before he’d entered the transfer portal.

Hill said his parents had hired the agent, who then texted coaches from other programs purporting to be Hill.

“When it got back to the head coach, I had to leave Florida State,” Hill told the Fort Smith Southwest Times Record.

A Florida State source confirmed the basic details of Hill’s account but could not say whether there were additional mitigating circumstances surrounding his departure.

Hill had 50 carries for 334 yards, two rushing touchdowns and five catches for 83 yards in two seasons at Florida State after arriving in 2022 as a four-star recruit (No. 235 in the ESPN300) out of Statesboro, Georgia.

After leaving Florida State in December, Hill committed to Florida A&M, then decommitted after Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons left to become the running backs coach at Duke. Hill then committed to Miami, decommitted once more, and returned to Florida A&M, where he said he took classes and worked out with the team before entering the transfer portal again.

“During that time when I had to leave, I wasn’t trying to leave, I didn’t want to leave, so I just had to, and the portal was closing up,” Hill said. “Florida A&M was next door [in Tallahassee, Florida], so I just had to go there for a month, find a new place.”

Hill ultimately landed at Arkansas, where he figures to be part of a running back rotation in a role similar to his usage at Florida State.

Hill said he has a new agent now, but he thinks his story should be a cautionary tale for younger players considering hiring their own representation to take a more active role in the process and be more careful in their hiring practices.

“From my perspective, I know it’s your parents and stuff like that, but sometimes you’ve got to handle it on your own,” Hill said. “Sometimes, like with my parents, I know they were trying to do the best thing for me, but sometimes you’ve got to take that on your own and got to do it yourself. But to other kids, I’d just say you don’t have to get an agent right now. Just wait.”

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Arkansas

Arkansas labor force reaches all-time high in January

Published

10 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas labor force reaches all-time high in January

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas’ labor force reached an all-time high in January, officials say.

The state’s unemployment rate climbed to 4.4 percent in January, up from 4.3 percent in December, the Arkansas Department of Commerce and Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today. The unemployment rate for December 2025 was originally estimated at 4.2% but was later revised up to 4.3%.

The U.S. jobless rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point, from 4.4% in December 2025 to 4.3% in January 2026.

Arkansas’ civilian labor force rose by 2,644 in January, reaching a record high level of 1,451,310.

Employment increased by 1,205, also setting a record high.

Arkansas’ labor force participation rate increased to 59.1%.

Compared to January 2025, employment has grown by 17,185 and there are 9,520 more unemployed Arkansans actively seeking work. The unemployment rate is up six-tenths of a percentage point.

Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas decreased by 17,800 in January, typical for a seasonal decline.

Compared to January 2025, there are 9,200 additional nonfarm payroll jobs in the State.

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Arkansas

Hogs Shut Out Trojans in Midweek Win

Published

22 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Six Razorback pitchers combined to shut out in-state opponent Little Rock (19-14) and lead No. 22 Arkansas (21-13) to a 7-0 win Tuesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium. With the triumph, the Hogs improved to 7-2 in midweek games this season and 31-7 overall against in-state foes, including an 8-2 mark against Little Rock, since 1947.

Making his first start of the season on the mound, Tate McGuire opened Tuesday night’s contest with three shutout frames for Arkansas. The right-hander struck out one while working around two hits and a walk before turning the game over to the bullpen, which combined for six scoreless innings with six strikeouts to secure the Razorbacks’ midweek win.

Parker Coil (1.0 IP, 2 SO), Steele Eaves (2.0 IP), Gabe Gaeckle (1.0 IP, 1 SO), Cooper Dossett (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Ethan McElvain (1.0 IP, 2 SO) worked together in relief of McGuire to lock down Arkansas’ fourth shutout of the campaign.

The Trojans held the Razorback offense both scoreless and hitless until the bottom of the fifth. After TJ Pompey and Reese Robinett reached safely to lead off the inning and advanced on a double steal, Ryder Helfrick stepped up to the plate with one out and delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly to left field, giving Arkansas its first run of the night.

A five-spot in the bottom half of the sixth inning broke the game open for the Hogs. Arkansas loaded the bases with no outs for Robinett, who ripped a bases-clearing double down the right field line to extend the advantage to 4-0.

Later in the inning, Helfrick collected his second RBI of the game with a two-out double to right center and advanced to third on a fielding error in the outfield. The Razorbacks’ star catcher would score on a wild pitch to grow the lead to six.

Zack Stewart tacked on the seventh and final run in the seventh inning, cranking his sixth home run of the season and 50th of his career to left center to give Arkansas a commanding seven-run cushion. The Hogs finished with just four hits, including a pair of doubles and a home run, but capitalized on seven walks, two hit batsmen and three stolen bases.

Up next, the Razorbacks will hit the road for their second consecutive SEC weekend series away from the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch in the series opener between No. 22 Arkansas and No. 8 Alabama is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, April 10, on SEC Network+ from inside Sewell–Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

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Arkansas

Drug Take Back Day returns to Arkansas this month; promotes safe drug disposal

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Drug Take Back Day returns to Arkansas this month; promotes safe drug disposal

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas law enforcement agencies are hosting their 16th-annual Drug Take Back Day this month.

The event is designed so that Arkansans can safely and anonymously dispose of any expired, unused or unwanted medications. Officials say they want to prevent opioid misuse, reduce accidental poisonings, protect waterways from contamination and keep communities safe.

Its set to take place on Saturday, April 25.

“Arkansas Drug Take Back Day continues to bring communities together in the fight against substance misuse, and we’re proud to play such a vital part in it,” said Kirk Lane, director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP). “We invite Arkansans to take a few minutes to clean out their medicine cabinets, drop off unneeded prescriptions and protect their families and neighbors.”

Arkansans destroyed 26,500 pounds of medication during the fall 2025 Drug Take Back Day. Since 2010, over 342 tons have been destroyed.

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There are more than 300 drop boxes that Arkansans can use year-round. You can find your nearest drop box by CLICKING HERE.

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