Report: Bielema encouraged Arkansas commit to decommit if he visited Alabama
If you are committed to Arkansas you had best be committed all the way. That appears to be the belief of Razorback head coach Bret Bielema when it comes to his commits considering taking visits to other schools.
That’s the way 2016 Arkansas signee Jordan Jones tells it, as the Smackover, Ark., native began receiving attention from Nick Saban and Alabama after already committing to Bielema and in-state Arkansas. Saban even paid a visit to tiny Smackover, population less than 2,000, just to visit with the talented receiver.
Jones talked about his meeting with the Crimson Tide coach with Jason Kersey of SEC Country.
“(Saban) was a real smooth person,” Jones said. “He came in, real calm and collected, and said, ‘We know you’re committed, but we want to know what we have too.’”
During the visit, Saban invited Jones to take a visit to Tuscaloosa for an Alabama’s Junior Day event. When Jones called Bielema to discuss Saban’s offer, the Razorback coach told Jones to decommit if he planned on going to the Tide event.
“That was pretty tough,” Jones said. “I kinda didn’t understand it at first, but I got over it.”
Despite the drama of that exchange, Jones remained committed to Arkansas and eventually signed with the school on National Signing Day. Credit should go to Bielema for holding on to a top in-state prospect that Alabama had its sights on. If the Razorbacks continue to hold on to talent players such as Jones, it won’t be long before the eight-year drought comes to an end.
That’s the way to tell it, Bielema !
Players need to be smarter, have fun and take all official visits first before committing!
Hmm, I dunno. If a player is going to cancel a scheduled visit, he should at least get a free iphone out of it.
Right Ole Miss? :)
Haha! That IS rich… Getting Crootin advice from Ole Miss! Bawhahaha!!!!!
try less
well, we don’t have to try very hard to begin with :)
I get it. If a player is still looking, then he’s not commited anyway. I don’t care how the media keeps painting him, there’s just something I like about him.
This is a respect thing. If you are taking visits while committed, it shows a lack of respect and certainty for both programs involved.
Unless your committed to some certain coaches…then they send their commits to other schools to recruit for them. I know of two current and one former coach in the SEC that consistently do this.
*you’re
Do you honestly believe that the coaches encourage the kids to go to opposing visits and recruit? Lets see some proof other than your opinion. Your thinly veiled shots at Saban are unsubstantiated.
it’s happening
Again, proof other than your opinion?
If a boy is 18 years old and he hasn’t figured out the ethics of accepting something of great value plus the expectations associated,…. then no college program should want him. This is a no brainer, Arkansas needs to decommit from this boy IMMEDIATELY. Just having him around is a liability. I didn’t know BB was such a weiny.
bruhhh, did you even read the article? I’m assuming you didn’t. and i quote “Despite the drama of that exchange, Jones remained committed to Arkansas and eventually signed with the school on National Signing Day. ” he’s already there. but good effort, kid.
People, I think you have set the bar too low for a “good effort”. He didn’t even read the article before posting. At most he only rates a pitiful effort.
Well, he is a Mizzou fan. (trollface)