With a couple of its top remaining 2022 recruiting targets left taking official visits to Fayetteville last weekend, Arkansas was blessed to have a couple of its pledges doing the same.
Little Rock Parkview tailback James Jointer (6-1, 210) and Joe T. Robinson offensive lineman E'Marion Harris (6-7, 370), who committed last summer, got to take their official visits to their future college home and did their best to encourage visitors to join them as Razorbacks.
“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.
Jointer knew Arkansas would get good news Sunday when Oklahoma wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (6-2, 202), the Sooners’ top pass catcher in 2021 with 39 receptions for 399 yards and 6 touchdowns, later announced he would be transferring to Arkansas.
Haselwood was a 5-star prospect and the nation’s top wide receiver prospect in 2019 after playing for current Razorbacks running backs coach Jimmy Smith at Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove.
“It’ll definitely be an early Christmas for Hog nation,” Jointer said. “I ain’t going to say too much. I’ll just leave it at that.”
The Razorbacks also hosted LSU cornerback pledge Laterrance Welch (6-1, 175) of Lafayette (La.) Acadiana and uncommitted Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb wide receiver prospect Sam Mbake (6-3, 195) on official visits, and Oklahoma defensive back commit Gentry Williams on an unofficial last weekend.
Jointer did his best to get across the positives of being a Razorback.
“Obviously I’ve been staying here my whole life, so I know how the Razorbacks are important to the state of Arkansas,” Jointer said. “I can just tell them that if nobody else loves you, the Hog fans will. You’re playing for one of the best fan bases in the nation, especially when it’s game time."
Jointer’s official hosts were former Little Rock Parkview teammates Landon Rogers and Erin Outley, who both redshirted this season.
“Those are my best friends,” Jointer said. “I could have got hosted by anybody else, but why not just get hosted by your best friends?”
Jointer expects to join a loaded Arkansas running backs room next season with Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, AJ Green and Javion Hunt all returning. Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove star Rashod Dubinion (5-11, 180, 4.3) and Jointer are set to sign with Arkansas on Dec. 15.
“I feel great about it,” Jointer said. “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. Whatever that might be, if it’s only just for certain plays they need me, whatever, just trying to get adjusted to the game.”
Harris, whose team will play Shiloh Christian on Saturday for the Class 4A state title at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, was also pleased with his visit.
“The visit went great,” Harris said. “They showed me love. It was just a great visit all around. It was just the vibe. It was just great."
Harris’ host was Arkansas freshman offensive lineman Devon Manuel.
“He’s pretty cool,” Harris said. "I feel like when I come up here he and I can bond.”
Harris, one of what is expected to be at least 15 high school early enrollees, also expects to bond quickly with Arkansas offensive line coach Cody Kennedy.
“He’s a great guy. Me and him, we bond a lot,” Harris said. “I feel like when I get up here we’ll be great."