By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
For the first time since 1995, a Lonoke Jackrabbit signed an NCAA national letter of intent to play Division I football. Wide receiver Blake Mack signed Wednesday with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, making official a verbal commitment he made at the beginning of the school year and from which he never wavered.
Mack, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, was offered by several schools, but ultimately chose ASU over Sun Belt Conference rival Louisiana-Monroe and Conference USA stalwart Louisiana Tech.
With the revolving door of head coaches at ASU the last several years, Mack received interest from Gus Malzahn, who then left for Auburn. After his junior year, he was recruited and offered a scholarship by Bryan Harsin, who just left to take over at Boise St. He finally signed with Blake Anderson, who just took over in December after a successful stint as offensive coordinator at North Carolina.
Through all the coaching changes, Mack stayed committed to the Wolves, primarily because the pass-heavy offensive approach never changed, despite the coaching changes.
“That offense they run is the main reason I chose ASU,” said Mack. “They like to throw the ball a lot and I think I can be a force for them.”
With Wednesday’s signing, Mack becomes the first Jackrabbit to sign with a Division I college since Charles “Spanky” Gilliam signed with the Air Force Academy in 1995.
Mack racked up more than 1,700 all-purpose yards his senior season. He had 55 catches for 847 yards and eight touchdowns receiving. He had 550 yards rushing and more than 300 yards returning punts and kickoffs. He finished his high school career with 127 receptions for 2,147 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Mack is a two-time All-Conference and All-State player. He will play his last game as a high schooler in June, when he lines up for the East team in the 2014 Arkansas High School All-Star game.
