Grant Karnes, once a standout wide receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks, is now focusing on a baseball career after a successful surgery to repair a torn labrum.
A Dual‑Sport Legacy at Arkansas
The former high‑school star, who led Greenwood to a 6A state championship with 1,302 yards and 22 touchdowns, will report to the Lions of UA‑Fort Smith as a pitcher in 2027, marking a delayed but deliberate entry into college baseball.
Karnes opted to walk on at Arkansas rather than accept a scholarship at Wichita State, a decision that reflects both his football pedigree and his desire to explore a new athletic path.
Road to the Lions: From Walk‑On to 2027 Debut
He redshirted his lone season at Arkansas, never seeing the field on the football side, but used that time to develop his pitching mechanics, a process accelerated by his recent surgery.
Coaches at UA‑Fort Smith see his football background as an asset, expecting his athleticism and competitive fire to translate into a strong presence on the mound.
A Tradition of Two‑Sport Stars
He joins a lineage of Arkansas athletes who have excelled in multiple sports, including Connor Noland, who balanced football and baseball before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the ninth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Noland, now in his second full season at Triple‑A, illustrates the rare trajectory of athletes who transition from the SEC gridiron to professional diamonds.
Looking Ahead
The move underscores a broader trend in Arkansas sports, where multi‑sport talent is celebrated and where institutions like the University of Arkansas and UA‑Fort Smith continue to nurture athletes who defy conventional specialization.