Smackover’s Jaden Bryant has picked up many accolades in his high school career.

As a sophomore, he was the News-Times Rookie of the Year.

As a junior, he earned All-State honors en route to winning the Sports Alley/El Dorado News-Times Baseball Player of the Year award.

Now Bryant has his college destination finalized.

Bryant recently made a verbal commitment to Hill (Texas) College, a Division I junior college that has a long tradition of sending players on to four-year schools, as well as the professional ranks.

“They really loved me as a player and my frame that could be filled out,” Bryant said. “They loved the way I swung the bat and the power that I had overall. I threw a little 20-pitch bullpen just so they could see my stuff. It was around a 75% bullpen with me being in football right now. My velocity was still pretty good, and they said they could definitely see me being a two-way (player).”

Bryant hit .493 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs while manning third base for the Bucks as a junior.

He also worked his way back from a torn labrum to become Smackover’s ace on the mound, going 6-3 with a 3.61 ERA along with 56 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings.

With Bryant heading to Hill, it would seem the Rebels are building a pipeline to Union County.

Former El Dorado standout Sam York had a terrific freshman season, leading the team in batting average with a .362 mark. He also shared the team lead in home runs with seven, finished second in RBIs with 46, and led the team in stolen bases with 27.

York recently announced that he has committed to Ohio State.

Bryant said he took his visit to Hill last week.

“Coach (Andrew) Waters from Hill texted me about two weeks ago and wanted to get me on campus immediately,” Bryant said. “I had a practice with them and toured the campus afterward. Coach (Chris) Rat(eike) and Coach Waters said some of their best athletes are two-ways. After the visit was over, we went into the coaches office and discussed everything. I loved Hill and immediately thought, ‘This is where I want to be.’ I’ve told my parents and coaches that I wanted to end up at a D-1 JUCO in Texas if I didn’t go D-1 and that happened.” 

Bryant added that he spoke with York on the program.

“He had nothing but good to say about the program and Hill in general,” Bryant said. “He told me I’d love it, and it’s everything you need to get to the next level. I knew that was my sign to take this opportunity. I talked with my parents and also a few of my coaches. They thought it was a good fit for me, so I made the decision to commit this past Sunday.”