Nance Becomes First Signee Of 2017 Class

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After committing to Arkansas prior to the start of his sophomore season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, wide receiver Jonathan Nance (Gulfport, Miss./Gulfport HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) became the Razorbacks’ first signee of the 2017 class Wednesday morning. Nance signed his financial aid papers on the first day of the junior college signing period.

“Jonathan is a very talented athlete who brings maturity to our family at a position that loses several veteran guys,” said head coach Bret Bielema. “He has been committed and loyal to us since last year and has never wavered in his trust in our program. Jonathan’s family has taught him high values and integrity.”

Ranked as the No. 13 junior college wide receiver and the No. 117 overall prospect by 247Sports, Nance joins an Arkansas wide receivers room that has produced four different players with a 100-yard receiving game in SEC play over the last two seasons and three players that landed on this year’s Pro Football Focus All-SEC teams under the guidance of Bielema, offensive coordinator Dan Enos and wide receivers coach Michael Smith.

Battling through a shoulder injury during his sophomore campaign at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Nance finished with 13 receptions for 153 yards. In his freshman season in 2015, Nance hauled in 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. His versatility at wide out was on full display in 2015, showcasing his ability as a possession receiver by using his 6-foot-2 frame to grab eight receptions at Southwest Mississippi. Over the final two games of the season he showcased his speed with receptions of 47 and 62 yards while putting together a 109-yard performance with a score against Itawamba.

Nance was a standout wide receiver at Gulfport High School, earning All-State second team honors as a senior to go along with All-Area first team recognition in each of his last two years. Over 30 games at Gulfport High School, he scored 16 touchdowns, including 14 through the air, while totaling over 1,500 yards receiving. Nance signed with Southern Mississippi out of high school and enrolled early in January of 2015 before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast.