FAYETTEVILLE — As has been the case on numerous occasions now, the Jones family enjoyed its trip to Fayetteville this weekend.
Former Arkansas linebacker J.J. Jones brought his twin sons Jalen and Jai to Arkansas this weekend for the Razorbacks’ Fall Kickoff Cookout.
Jai (5-10, 230) and Jalen (5-10, 205) are both highly regarded 2021 linebacker prospects from Dallas (Texas) Oak Cliff with interest in following in the footsteps of their dad, a former Magnolia standout who played at Arkansas from 1996-2000.
"It brings back old memories,” Jalen said. “Coming up that Hill, I just feel, 'It's going to be grind mode. I'm doing it for my dad, my parents, and leaving a legacy.'"
Jai echoed his fondness for Fayetteville, a place the twins have taken many unofficial visits to over the years while growing up Razorbacks fans.
“I get the same feeling each time,” Jai said. “Just feels at home basically.”
The twins were both pleased with the cookout, which brought about 30 of the Razorbacks’ top recruiting targets in the 2020 and 2021 classes.
"Today was very entertaining,” Jalen said. “We got to kick our feet back, relax, enjoy being around the other players, focus on the program. The scavenger hunt was real fun. We didn't have to worry about athletic ability today. It was more having fun and getting to know everybody, so I liked that a lot.”
Jai was also fond of the scavenger hunt.
“Most definitely the scavenger hunt we did with the other players,” Jai said. “We actually just went around campus and got to see the whole campus. We did different things with the coaches and that was pretty fun. Being able to talk to other recruits, that was a highlight.”
Both are big fans of Arkansas defensive coordinator and linebackers coach John Chavis.
“I love him,” Jai said. “I love working with him. A very entertaining guy. We were out here working with him at the camp and he got on us hard, but he taught us a lot. Looking forward to having him as a coach possibly.”
Arkansas coaches see the physicality that the twins bring to the gridiron.
“Mainly they know that we're physical and we like to be very physical,” Jai said. “…Definitely going to play middle and inside and just play downhill.”
Jai holds offers from Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Missouri, Baylor, Nebraska, Kansas, Georgia Tech, Boston College and others.
He had 85 tackles as a sophomore with eight tackles for lost yardage, five sacks and a pass breakup manning the position that his dad played for Arkansas and the New Orleans Saints in 13 games in 2002.
“My whole life since Little League linebacker has been the position I’ve played,” Jai said. “Just him having NFL and college experience he basically taught us everything we know today.”
Jalen has been offered by Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Utah State, Colorado, Kansas, Utah State and Illinois State.
In his sophomore season, Jalen had 53 tackles, a stop for lost yardage and caused a fumble for an Oak Cliff team that went 11-1.
"They're one of our top choices,” Jalen said of the Razorbacks. “Soon we should be reaching a commitment, but right now we're focused on football season. In two weeks we get in pads, then a scrimmage after that, then the first game is in like three weeks.”
Jalen is moving to nickel this season.
"I'm getting better at my ball skills, reading guards, triggering and things like that,” Jalen said. “That's what I focused on this offseason."