Connections loom large as On300 WR Ashton Bethel-Roman commits to Arkansas

Four-star Texas-based speedster WR Ashton Bethel-Roman has deep SEC ties and will continue that tradition on Saturdays.

On July 4, the On300 wide receiver from Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point High School just outside of Houston committed to Arkansas. Oregon, Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas State and Houston were also in the mix with Bethel-Roman, whose father Mark Roman was a star for the LSU Tigers and then the New Orleans Saints.

Bethel-Roman, the nation’s No. 12-ranked wide receiver in the 2024 class, viewed the Razorbacks in a different light after a series of summer official visits, which provided clarity in his decision. Wide receivers coach and Houston ace Kenny Guiton and Head Hog Sam Pittman were the catalysts.

“One of the biggest reasons why was because it felt like home,” Bethel-Roman told On3. “Coach Kenny and Coach Pitt were the biggest factors in that. I’d think of Coach Pitt like a grandpa and Coach Kenny as that loud uncle … they just felt like family … not to mention the rest of the staff and even the community around Fayetteville that all tied into that.”

“They had those family features about them and honestly talking with coach Pitt is mind-boggling,” the No. 83-ranked player in the On300 for 2024 continued. “You look and think he’s some mean guy, but in all honesty, he’s the funniest guy in the room and he always shoots you straight. Coach Kenny feels like he’s been my coach for years so that just goes to show how our connection is.”

Those connections ultimately loomed large and proved to be the difference as the four-star speedster and his family navigated through official visits in June.

Bethel-Roman made official visits to Arkansas (June 9-11), Texas Tech (June 16-18) and then Oregon (June 23-25).

In a very tight race, the SEC legacy followed the atmosphere he was most familiar with.

“Some of these other schools had that same exact feeling, so what it came down to was the competition … There is no doubt that the SEC has the most competition, and that’s what I wanted to play in,” Bethel-Roman explained.

“This whole process definitely wasn’t easy. I think my parents knew at the end of the day that it was my decision and they agreed with it 100 percent. They could tell that the staff at Arkansas knew I was a priority, so Coach Pittman and Coach Kenny would come and sit down with them and just (discuss) the little things to show that this was the right place for me.”