Shelby Mustain

Dreams became reality for two Texarkana natives Saturday, April 27, 2013. University of Arkansas football players Cobi Hamilton and Dennis Johnson were welcomed to NFL franchises on the third day of the annual first year player draft.

Hamilton, a former multi sport star at Texas High School, was drafted in the fifth round, 197th overall, by the AFC North’s Cincinnati Bengals. Hamilton was a four year starter at wide receiver for the Razorbacks and holds the school record for single season receptions and receiving yards He was a 2012 All-SEC selection his senior season. Hamilton finished his college career with 175 receptions, 2,854 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Saturday, Hamilton took to Twitter to express his thankfulness to fans and his new team.

Former Arkansas High School running back Dennis Johnson, who helped lead the Hogs to back to back high school football state championships in 2006 and 2007, was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, following the draft. Johnson ran for 2,036 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in his four years at Arkansas. He missed most of the 2010 season after sustaining a bowel injury during a game against University of Louisiana-Monroe and saw limited action under interim head coach John L. Smith during the Razorbacks 2012 season.

Like Hamilton, Johnson chose the social networking site to voice his excitement in joining the Texans and learning from Houston’s current running back Arian Foster.