Meet Braydon Webb, the OmaHog all-star with a story that goes beyond the baseball diamond. A native of McKinney, Texas, Webb was born and raised alongside a twin, where competition became inherent in his DNA. Braydon was raised by a single mother whom he described as “a rock” to him and his brother. With unwavering strength, she made numerous sacrifices to propel her children towards their aspirations. Webb's athletic endeavors began with informal soccer matches in the backyard, fostering a deep appreciation for physical activity. Despite being a three-sport athlete in high school, he ultimately focused on baseball and football until exclusively choosing baseball.
As he embarked on his collegiate quest, his priority was to find a school that would allow him to refine and prioritize his baseball abilities. Webb strategically selected Grayson Junior College with dreams of bigger opportunities. He planned to upscale his craft and enter an SEC school as an impactful player right off the bat. During the end of his time at JUCO, he began receiving a plethora of offers from big-name schools. Amidst various opportunities, Arkansas stood out - close to family and offering a top-notch university experience. He stated that the authentic feel of the coaching staff who “saw his true identity beyond the ball” was the biggest selling point for him. While this scouting experience was glamorous and flattering, he remained true to his values and assumed a humble attitude. Although he was a big fish in a small pond at JUCO, Webb recognized that he was about to enter a whole new world of talented players.
His inaugural year commenced in 2020, plagued by the COVID pandemic. However, Webb was ecstatic to begin his career with the Hogs. Transitioning from a makeshift locker room in the JUCO parking lot to Arkansas’ jaw-dropping facilities was just the beginning of his collegiate shockers. When asked about his experience on the team, Webb raved about the culture. “The facilities, universities, fans, you can’t beat what Arkansas has going for them” (Webb). The coaches at Arkansas saw him as more than just a player. In a competitive atmosphere, it's easy to overlook the person behind the athlete, but Webb noted that the Arkansas coaching staff supported him regardless of his performance.
Braydon left a lasting legacy with the Razorbacks, on and off the baseball field. He was a major contributor to Arkansas’ offense with 58 starts out of 62 games played. In 2022, he was named to the SEC Baseball Community Service team in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions beyond the ball. During his time on the team, he actively participated in the Fayetteville community, collaborating with Team Impact for two consecutive years to bolster Arkansas' annual Childhood Cancer Awareness game. He was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for an impressive academic performance during his baseball tenure. The Finance major kept a 4.0 while maintaining excellence in his commitment to the team.
Aside from the awards presented to him, Webb’s strongest legacy is truly the mark he made on his teammates. Even now as a retired player, he continues to attend games from the Hog Pen and support his beloved Razorbacks. His faith served as a guiding light to him and others on the team. From attending a weekly baseball Bible study to C3 College service with Cross Church, he states that community was the key to keeping himself level-headed. “For me, it’s putting God first and trusting His plan instead of doing it all by myself. When He is at the forefront, it’s easier to see the bigger picture” (Webb).
Through every twist and turn, his journey exemplifies resilience and determination. His advice comes straight from the heart, as he has demonstrated it through his actions. While Webb’s career as a player has concluded, his legacy is just beginning, and we are excited to see where life takes him next. There is more to a player than the game, and hearing Webb’s story reminds us to consider the true identity of those around us.
After sitting down with Braydon, it is clear that he would go to bat for any of his former Razorback team members, as well as the rookies. When asked what he would tell a new player, the advice was applicable for those of us off the field as well:
1. “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
2. “It’s those who don’t quit and make adjustments who make it.”
3. “You cannot perform at the highest level without believing in yourself.”