Some high school players are lucky enough to continue their football careers into college, and Camden Fairview tackle Mark Welch was lucky enough to decide his destination early in his recruiting career.
On July 31, four weeks before the start of his senior season, Welch made a hard commitment to play football for the University of Central Arkansas. According to 247Sports, he was rated as a three-star offensive lineman with other offers, but he chose to stay committed to the Bears.
With the distractions of recruiting out of the way and his collegiate destination locked, Welch had an outstanding senior season for Camden Fairview. Welch was one of the most consistent pass-blocking and run-blocking offensive linemen for the Cardinals's explosive offense as the starting right tackle.
In 11 games this season, Welch accumulated 83 pancake blocks as he dominated the opposing defensive linemen. It is not hard to imagine a great player like Welch becoming a consistent and aggressive blocker like his favorite offensive linemen La'el Collins and former Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen.
Welch was also one of the main contributors on the defensive side of the ball for Camden Fairview. He has been one of the most disruptive defenders in the state at the interior defensive line.
In the first 11 games this season, Welch accumulated 51 total tackles, 49 solo tackles, 23 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Welch possesses a high motor, along with a huge size and frame, making him highly difficult to slow down and stop. He can consistently get into the backfield and put pressure on the quarterback or tackle the ball carrier in the backfield.
Some of the current NFL players that Welch idolizes and models his game after are Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Like Welch, these are two players that can aggressively crash into the backfield and make open-field tackles for loss.
This senior season was special to all of the players for Camden Fairview as they won the program's first sole 5A South Conference Championship for the first time since 2012. Many players, including Welch, will likely be named all-conference and potentially all-state. This was a Cardinals team that many outside of Ouachita County projected to not be in contention for the conference championship this season.
There are several favorite moments for all of the players this season; for Welch, the camaraderie of team sports was a highlight.
"I will remember the brotherhood of our OL-DL and the family we had as a team. I will remember the things my coaches taught me and how they encouraged and believed in me," Welch said. "The main thing I will remember is being under those Friday night lights with my brothers going to battle with a community that believes in us as a team. That is an amazing feeling."
There are many different factors that go into selecting a college to play football for. It took a great school visit for Welch to make him feel like he is a part of a family, on and off the field, at UCA.
"I chose UCA before my senior year because I was building a relationship with the coaches every day during the entire recruiting process. They were showing that they really wanted me, and when I went on a visit that was the icing on the cake. They were like family, and I felt at home. The coaches were amazing," he said. "I knew they didn't just care about football; they cared about me as a man, as a person, and they are going to continue helping me grow in life as a football player and a man. I knew then that UCA would be the place I want to call home for the next three or four years of my life."
He said he was also drawn to the UCA because he knew he could go for an education and enjoy the potential brotherhood with his teammates on and off the field. It will be a special day for Welch and his family when he signs his letter of intent with the University of Central Arkansas, which will permanently mark the beginning of his collegiate career as a Bear.