Flowers to return to UA; Bielema to present 2014 signing class

Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers announced Monday he was returning to the Razorbacks for his senior season after considering early entry into the NFL Draft.
 
“I have made the decision to stay at Arkansas for my senior season,” Flowers said in a statement from the University of Arkansas Athletic Communications Office. “Coach Bielema was very supportive throughout the process and helped me and my family navigate this decision. I still have goals on and off the field I want to accomplish at Arkansas, beginning with graduating, and want to continue pursuing those. On the field, I am excited about the program being built and wanted to help the Razorbacks back in 2014. Even though my draft grade was good, I believe another year with Coach Bielema will help improve my draft status. I am looking forward to another season at Arkansas, where we have support from our administration, some of the best fans in the nation and a bright future for the football program.”

A second-team All-SEC selection in 2013, Flowers finished the season with 44 tackles, including 13.5 for loss with 5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception, two pass breakups and five quarterback hurries. His average of 1.23 tackles for loss per game ranks second in the SEC and 35th in the NCAA, and his tackles for loss total is tied for third in the conference. His tackles for loss accounted for 58 yards lost, the ninth-highest total in the SEC. He recorded 9.5 tackles for loss in conference play, which ranked fourth in the SEC. The Huntsville, Ala., native also is tied for second in the conference and for 23rd in the country with three forced fumbles.

Through his first three seasons as a Razorback, Flowers has recorded 122 tackles, 32 for loss with 12 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, seven pass breakups and one interception. He is tied for 11th on Arkansas’ career tackles for loss list and is tied for 16th on the school’s career sacks list. In addition to his All-SEC inclusion in 2013, he also was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2011. The economics major has earned recognition on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and the Razorback Honor Roll for his work in the classroom.
 
“I’m very excited for Trey and not just his immediate future, but for everything down the road,” head coach Bret Bielema said.

Bielema said he and Coach Ben Herbert traveled to Alabama last week to visit with Trey and his parents about the decision to remain another year or go to the NFL.

“Thankfully he notified us shortly thereafter and said he wanted to maintain and pursue his dream of playing and chasing his dreams here at Arkansas for another year. He’ll be able to get his degree and hopefully move his draft status that much more for the future,” Bielema said in the statement.

Also, Bielema plans to present his thoughts on the 2014 football signing class at two public events to give fans in Fayetteville and Little Rock.

Signing Day on the Hill, presented by First Security, is set for Wednesday, Feb., 5, at the Fayetteville Town Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and the presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. Individual tickets that include a buffet dinner and a silent auction are $50. Reserved tables with 10 seats begin at $500. VIP and corporate tables are also available. Tickets may be purchased by calling 479-271-7411 or visiting nwarazorbackclub.org.

Signing Day in the Rock, also presented by First Security, will be held the next evening, Feb., 6, at The Metroplex in Little Rock. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation set to begin at 6:45 p.m. Individual tickets that include reserved seating and a dinner buffet are $65, and reserved tables with 10 seats begin at $650. VIP tables are also available. Tickets may be purchased by visiting a Central Arkansas First Security Bank location or at lrrazorbackclub.com.