FAYETTEVILLE — It has been a long time since Arkansas landed a 5-star offensive lineman, but the Razorbacks are in the mix for one right now.
Lithonia, Ga., star and Georgia commit Broderick Jones (6-5, 300 pounds), the nation’s top 2020 tackle prospect and ESPN’s 13th-best player overall, completed his official visit to Fayetteville on Monday and was surprised with what he found.
“It opened my eyes,” Jones said. “Arkansas' not really on the map like that. I found out Arkansas football is the only thing in the state. People are very crazy about Arkansas football and it's a big state, so the atmosphere will be crazy on game day. That will be a wonderful experience.”
New Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, the former Georgia offensive line coach, was key in getting Jones to Fayetteville as one of 13 visitors the Razorbacks brought in over the weekend.
Jones had a basketball game Friday night and arrived at Arkansas on Saturday.
“I caught up with a couple of guys from last night that had been here,” Jones said. “Me and Sam Pittman have a relationship. I got to talk to him. That was a good deal, and I saw his wife. That's like another family to me. I feel like I'm at home down here.”
Pittman has gotten his vision for Arkansas across to Jones.
“Coach Pittman is a great guy,” Jones said. “I feel like he can be a great coach. I feel like he can get anything accomplished that he wants. I think he's going to get the program rolling and get it on the ball.”
Jackson has two official visits remaining before making his decision final.
“Next weekend I plan on going to Georgia and the following weekend I go to Auburn,” Jones said. “We’ll see what they have in store and then we'll go from there.”