FAYETTEVILLE — Kevin Kopps wasn’t certain he’d be wanted back for his bonus senior season at the University of Arkansas after the pandemic-shortened 2020 year.
Arkansas pitching coach Matt Hobbs persuaded him to stay, and now Kopps has a trophy case bulging with major awards to show for it.
Kopps on Friday was awarded the Dick Howser Trophy, given by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association to the best college baseball player in the country. He also was selected as the Stopper of the Year by the same organization.
Kopps is the first relief pitcher to win the Howser Trophy, which has been given since 1988 and has received the nickname “The Heisman Trophy of college baseball.