Arkansas picked up its 13th oral commitment for the Class of 2017 Wednesday when outside linebacker Josh Paul pledged to the Hogs.
Paul, 6-2, 205, 4.76 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of New Orleans De La Salle picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Mississippi, Purdue, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, Tulane and others.
He visited Fayetteville on June 11.
“I liked the campus, the coaches, I liked the whole football program,” Paul said. “They’re really successful with the players’ academics and that played a big role.”
De La Salle Coach Ryan Manale said LSU worked hard to get Paul to a summer camp, but he never made one. He said Paul had more than 30 offers.
“A lot of them aren’t the prestigious 32 major Division I offers, but he had 32 Division I offers, at least that came through my desk,” Manale said. “He definitely got the attention for a kid that doesn’t go to camps.”
With Paul’s commitment, receivers coach Michael Smith has landed 12 prospects from Louisiana since 2014.
“It’s his personality,” Paul said. “He’s straightforward; he keeps it honest. He’s just a great guy.”
He said Arkansas has an environment much like his high school.
“Everyone is like a big family,” Paul said. “They’re all like one. Everybody supports each other, looks out for each other and takes care of each other.”
Oral commitments are nonbinding.