Louisiana linebacker De’jon Harris became Arkansas’ sixth oral commitment for the 2016 class Thursday evening when he told linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves he was ready to be a Razorback.
Harris and his mother attended the Red-White spring game April 25 and that helped him make his decision.
“I felt great how the coaching staff really wanted me,” said Harris, who plays for Marrero John Ehret High School. “My mom really loved it. It’s easy for her to get there.”
Harris, 6-1, 230 pounds, 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from Arizona State, Oregon, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulane and others.
He and Hargreaves talked Wednesday and discussed several Florida linebackers the Hogs were recruiting.
“He told me he liked three or four linebackers out there, but he liked me better than them,” Harris said. “I really wanted to get it done, so I got it done.”
Harris had 82 tackles, 15 for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles and 5 pass breakups as a junior.
He said Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith scored big points by staying on him after he suffered a torn right knee meniscus during his sophomore season.
“Every day Coach Smitty direct messaged me on Twitter,” Harris said. “He said, ‘Bro, let’s get this thing done. It’s going to be the best thing to happen to you.’ ”
Oral commitments are nonbinding.