HawgBeat - Arkansas 'in a great place' with LSU LB commit Xavier Atkins after OV
Arkansas is working to flip a four-star linebacker from a division rival.
arkansas.rivals.com
It's not every day Arkansas steals players from LSU, but the Hogs seem to be in a good position with four-star LSU linebacker commit Xavier Atkins after his official visit to Arkansas over the weekend.
Atkins said after his visit that the people were what stood out the most during his visit.
"I had a great visit, just like always," Atkins said. "Just reminded me of family, great people around here, genuine people. All around, good checks on my box."
The No. 83 player in the country has already been on campus once for an unofficial visit during the spring, and after his official visit he said Arkansas is in a great place.
"Arkansas really is like, a real contender now," Atkins said. "I think it’s going to be official, Arkansas is in like a good place, a great place."
Atkins committed to LSU on July 5, 2022 and prior to that was committed to Missouri from Feb. 19, 2022 to July 4. He took an official visit to UCF earlier this month and said he probably will take a look at Texas A&M as well as another giving LSU another look before announcing his decision, which will likely come in September.
"I think I’m going to visit A&M one time, then I might go back home to visit LSU, then after that is when I’m going to (look at the) pros and cons for every school, and that’s when I’m really going to make a decision," Atkins said.
What gives Arkansas an edge in the Humble, Texas, native's recruitment is how genuine the coaching staff is.
"They be themself, you know," Atkins said. "All these recruiting stuff, they all try to sell NIL, they just be themself, they teach the plan. And the plan they have for you is amazing, you just got to come here and grind and do what you’re supposed to do. So Arkansas just be theyself and I just love it here. Great vibes, safe place to live too."
