Conway junior Holland adds to Diamond Hogs in-state recruiting haul in next two classes

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas baseball program continues to add to a stellar 2026 recruiting class and hopes to end up with a Wampus Cats daily double.

Conway catcher Max Holland (6-1, 200) became the latest junior commit and ninth overall pledge to the Razorbacks’ 2026 haul, which is now ranked 18th nationally by Perfect Game, when he went public with his decision two weeks ago.

That’s on top of Arkansas’ 2025 class being tabbed third nationally by Perfect Game with 11 in-state prospects among its 20 commits.

“I mean obviously I’m an in-state kid and playing baseball and it has always been a dream of mine to play (at a) Power Five (school), in the SEC and Arkansas has always been a top school of mine,” Holland said.

“Before I went on the visit to Arkansas, it was my top school and the visit just did it all for me. Seeing the atmosphere, the facilities, the coaches, the people of Fayetteville and just kind of the whole college really did it for me.”

Holland chose Arkansas over Kentucky, Kansas State, Baylor, Louisiana Tech and others.

“I went on a few other visits, but my heart was at Arkansas the whole time,” Holland said. “Not that I have made it official, I am just really excited.

“I think the main thing was with just being an in-state kid, it’s just kind of the pride I have playing for Arkansas. It is an experience I couldn’t pass up.”

Holland is high school teammates with Conway third baseman Shaun Cover (6-1, 190), who has an offer from Arkansas and numerous other elite programs.

“Shaun has been getting recruited heavily as well and he is one of the best hitters I think I have ever played with (in high school or summer ball,” Holland said. “He was really good last year and I think will even better this season.

…For sure I have already been in his ear about coming to Arkansas, too. I am doing my best to get him to come.”

Conway head coach Leighton Hardin know he is blessed to have the pair.

“He (Holland) is a high level defensive catcher and he has started for us since he was a freshman,” Hardin said. “That is a pretty hard thing to do at the (Class) 6A level.

“…Last year he ended up being all-state, hitting over .400 and ended up being our closer.

“…Shaun is a big-time hitter and has kind of been a mainstay in our line up since he was a freshman. Max will get big hits with two outs and Shaun is the same way.

“He hit .450 as a freshman for us, was around .400 last season and was all-conference and all-state as well.”

Hardin thinks Cover’s decision may come sooner than later.

“He has still got a decision to make on what he wants to do, but with Max making his decision, Shaun is probably not going to be too far behind,” Hardin said.

Holland believes Conway has a chance to win it all this season, especially with the talent around Cover and himself.

“I think this year might be our year for sure,” Holland said. “We have a pitcher that is going to Louisiana-Lafayette, a senior who is really good and was our guy last year. Another lefty pitcher who has been getting recruited.

“And we have a bunch of other guys that I think will step up.”

Holland got his Arkansas offer after having a big summer.

“I played for Prospects National with Coach Andy Benard,” Holland said. “He is one of the best coaches I have every played for, especially in summer ball.

“I played up this year and it was a really good experience. We played a lot of tournaments around Atlanta and went to Hoover (Alabama) a couple of times and played really good competition.

“I played up with those guys and really learned from them. It really helped me get better and then the Futures Games kind of set the tone for that. I had a good tournament down there and that kind of completed this summer.”

The Razorbacks also have 2026 in-state commits from Valley View catcher Keaton Mathis, Benton shortstop Marcus Bates and Russellville left-handed pitcher Trystan Newberry.

Photo illustration courtesy of Max Holland