OV Recaps: 2022 commits make pitch to other recruits
Commits James Jointer Jr. and E'Marion Harris soaked in one last official visit as Arkansas closes its 2022 class.
In-state prospects James Jointer Jr. (Little Rock Parkview) and E'Marion Harris (Joe T. Robinson) were in Fayetteville this weekend ahead of the early signing period, which opens Dec. 15. With both planning on signing Wednesday, Jointer couldn't have asked for a better close to his recruitment.
"It was great, per usual," Jointer said. "The Arkansas staff obviously treated me like family. It’s obviously one of the reasons I committed. It was just what I expected - to have a great time.
"It was actually my grandparents’ first time coming to Fayetteville. Just for them to get the whole recruiting experience, it was great."
One aspect of the visit that both Jointer and Harris were happy with was their hosts. Jointer was hosted by his "best friends" - and former teammates - Erin Outley and Landon Rogers, while offensive lineman Devon Manuel was the man for the four-star offensive tackle prospect.
“He’s pretty cool,” Harris said. “I feel like when I come up here he and I can bond."
Speaking of bonds, the 2022 group has maintained a common theme of brotherhood throughout their recruitment. A handful of commitments down the stretch have left the Razorback faithful itching for more, and Jointer teased an "early Christmas for Hog Nation" on his Twitter.
With a group like four-star LSU commit Laterrance Welch, four-star Oklahoma commit Gentry Williams (unofficial), high-three-star Sam M'Bake and now-Arkansas receiver Jadon Haselwood joining Harris and Jointer on the visit, who knows what the commits have cooking?
M'Bake has been a hot-button topic for the Razorbacks since he was reoffered in October, and was impressed by his second trip to the Hill. Welch, on the other hand, has been committed to LSU since January, but Arkansas is looking to pull off the flip amongst some uncertainty in Baton Rouge. Williams took his official visit over the summer, but was back in Fayetteville with his home state Sooners going through a coaching change.
Just one week from signing with the Razorbacks, Jointer knows there is still work to be done on his part, and his pitch is simple.
"I’ve been staying here my whole life, so I know how much the Razorbacks are important to the state of Arkansas," Jointer said. "So I can just tell them that if nobody else loves you, the Hog fans will.
"You’re playing for one of the best fanbases in the nation. Especially when it’s game time, just telling them from me going to the games and how the crowd reacts and all that stuff."
With those game visits, Jointer has seen firsthand what the four-headed monster of Trelon Smith, Rocket Sanders, Dominique Johnson and AJ Green can do within the Arkansas offense.
Listed as a three-star in the Rivals database, Jointer is excited to find his place within the rotation as a freshman.
"With me going to be one of the young ones in the group, that first year at least just finding how I can fit, how I can be usable," Jointer said. "Whatever that might be, if it’s only just for certain plays they need me, whatever, just trying to get adjusted to the game."
