Kopps, who doubted role with '21 Razorbacks, named nation's best player

( Walt Beazley, Arkansas Razorbacks )Arkansas pitcher Kevin Kopps poses with the Dick Howser Trophy inside the Fowler Center in Fayetteville. Kopps won the 34th Howser Trophy as national player of the year.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…