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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

When Troup High’s Andy Boykin decided to make Arkansas his college home, he knew he’d be going up against some of the best teams in the country week after week.

That will no doubt be the case on Saturday as Arkansas opens its season against a Georgia team expected to compete for a national championship.

Boykin is a freshman defensive lineman for Arkansas, and he’s looking forward to playing for a head coach he’s gotten to know well over the years.

Before Sam Pittman became the head coach at Arkansas he was an assistant coach at Georgia, and one of the players he recruited was Boykin.

When Pittman went to Arkansas, he maintained that relationship with Boykin and was able to eventually sign him.

“Me and him always had a relationship from when he was at Georgia,” Boykin said on signing day. “We just picked up that relationship at Arkansas. He’s just a very genuine person.”

Boykin, who was at LaGrange High as a freshman before transferring to Troup, enjoyed tremendous individual and team success.

As a junior, Boykin helped Troup reach the state semifinals, and he had more than 100 combined tackles his final two seasons.

Boykin will be one of three former Troup players on SEC rosters this season.

Freshman Kobe Hudson is a wide receiver at Auburn, and sophomore King Mwikuta is a linebacker at Alabama.

A number of other former Troup Tigers are playing college football as well, and Boykin is happy for each of them.

“Including Kobe, I’m really proud of everyone,” Boykin said. “I want nothing but the best for my teammates. I have a great relationship with them, and I’m so proud of them. The dream is not over.