Report: Bielema encouraged Arkansas commit to decommit if he visited Alabama
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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.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
