FAYETTEVILLE — Forrest City running back Kevin Young Jr. committed to Arkansas on Tuesday and plans to report to Fayetteville this summer.
He will join the Razorbacks as a preferred walk-on.
Young, 5-11 and 220 pounds, rushed 179 times for 2,022 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior for the Mustangs.
He received offers from Kansas State, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Northeastern State, Henderson State and others during the recruiting process.
Nickname: K5 or KJ
Arkansas running backs coach Marcus Johnson is: My running back coach. I really haven’t gotten to meet him but over the phone he sounds like a great coach and person in general, and I can’t wait to show them my best.
My embarrassing football moment: When I was running through people and they pulled my pants down and I fell in the mud. My butt was muddy, and my pants. I was so mad but I learned to make sure your pants aren’t so loose.
Football teaches what: I don’t just learn how to play a sport, I learn how to live. I learn about discipline because I realize that talent isn’t enough and that success comes from the early mornings, late nights, and hard work I do when nobody is watching. I learn about motivation because when I’m tired, sore, and don’t feel like doing anything, I learn to go beyond what I thought was possible and do it anyway. I learn about accountability because I realize that what I do affects my team and that I’m responsible to do my job every single play. I learn about caring because I don’t just do this for myself, I do this for my brothers, fighting for them, with them, and with them by my side, creating a bond that feels like a family tie. I learn about resiliency because football helps me pick myself up when I lose, make mistakes, and fail, and realize that who I am is defined more by what I do in those moments than the failures ever will be. Most importantly, football helps me learn about heart and who I am under pressure and what kind of man I’m becoming.
If not football, what sport would you like to excel in: Basketball or track
What do you typically do when you’re bored: Watch anime and action movies. It makes me feel good.
What super power would you like to possess: Flying, or the ability to learn any and everything, or mind control, stop time.
The most annoying habit a person can have: Not being respectful, spitting while talking, touching my face without permission or [if I’m] not comfortable with them, starting a conversation and saying nevermind.
Your favorite family tradition: We really don’t have one.
Strangest food I’ve eaten: Alligator
My go to pizza toppings: Pepperoni
My perfect meal: I’m a big person so I go to Chick-fil-A and get two chicken sandwiches, 10-piece nuggets and a brownie and make both them a meal with Chick-fil-A sauce and Polynesian
Spicy or non-spicy food: It doesn’t really matter, just not too spicy
Prefer 32 degrees or 100 degrees: I prefer 100. It’s a lot to do when it’s hot and teaches you to stay hydrated because you can fall out.
My favorite animal: Eagle, dolphin
My favorite childhood memory: When I first made my first friend. His name is Nate. I was walking down the street with my sister and saw him in his pool and asked could I join and his grandma said ‘yes,’ and I’ve been friends with him ever since. He moved away and I lost contact, but when I find him again I’m going to give him the biggest hug ever because I miss him and hope he’s doing great in life.
I’m terrified of: Hippos and polar bears
Do you believe there is other intelligent life in the universe: Yes, me and my friends talk about it all the time. We talk about a lot of things in the world. My group of friends are very intelligent and interesting people. We like to talk about things we see in movies that we believe is real.
The person who has made the biggest impact on you: My dad and mom, they always told me they would be proud of me no matter what I do in life and they will always stand by my side. They give me peace and comfort and they are very big on respect. They taught me right and I’m glad to have them.
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