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Little Rock (Ark.) Parkview running back James Jointer has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. He went public with his decision on Saturday, becoming the Hogs’ fifth commitment for the Class of 2022.

Jointer, 6-0, 205, chose the home state Razorbacks over offers from Florida State, Michigan State, Tennessee, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, Arizona State, Kansas, Colorado State, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, UAB and UTSA.

"It's a blessing just to be staying home, putting home for the home state," Jointer told HawgSports. "It means a lot and not that many kids get this opportunity. Especially in your freshman year, then a new staff comes in and you still get the same opportunity to stay home and put on for your home state. So, it means a lot and I know it'll mean a lot to my mom when she finds out. It'll make my mom really happy."

Arkansas running backs coach Jimmy Smith was the lead recruiter for Jointer and made him feel like a priority for over a year.

"With Coach Jimmy, it was love at first sight," Jointer said. "The last time campus was open, I don't think the new staff had been on campus for a month, it was February 1 last year. I remember him coming out of the coaches office and him knowing who I am before I even knew who he was. It was love at first sight. Since we've been able to call and text each other more, the amount of calls and texts I get, he recruits my family, too.

"He called me every morning, and sometimes at night time after practice. So I usually hear from him two times a day, every day of the week. Our relationship is through the roof. Him recruiting my family means a lot to me. As a coach, I can have conversations with him that's not just about football. That means a lot to me."

Jointer had been a silent commitment to the Razorbacks for several weeks but wanted to surprise his mother with an announcement. He went public with his commitment alongside four-star offensive lineman Andrew Chamblee of Maumelle (Ark.).

"It was a surprise for my mom," he said. "My mom actually thought I'm going to Utah, so she's been pretty upset with Coach Pittman and Coach Smith."

According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings, James is the No. 57 running back in the nation and the No. 9 prospect in the state of Arkansas. 247Sports lists him as a high three-star prospect with an overall grade of 88. That places him at No. 32 nationally among all running backs and No. 4 overall in the Natural State.

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The football team would not be denied their share of the spotlight this week, joining many other Hog teams this week with a huge win of their own–courtesy of Parkview running back James Jointer. The 3-star called the Hogs on Saturday afternoon, joining Sam Pittman's 2022 class.

Jointer racked up 29 offers from coast to coast over the course of two years but it was always the Razorbacks staying consistent with the Natural State native.

Jointer saw a major surge in interest after putting out his junior tape but cut his list down to a top eight of Arkansas, Missouri, FSU, Tennessee, Utah, Arizona State, Michigan State and Purdue in mid-February. With the recruiting dead period continued through April, the running back couldn't hold the Hogs off any longer.

Jointer is the second running back to commit to Coach Jimmy Smith in the last month. Rivals250 Georgia native Rashod Dubinion picked the Hogs three weeks ago, giving Arkansas a nice one-two punch for 2022.

The running back's commitment also gives Arkansas three pledges from the Natural State early with more coming. Greenland defensive lineman JJ Hollingsworth was commit number one for the Hogs, joined shortly after by DeWitt tight end Dax Courtney. The Razorbacks have offered a total of nine in-state juniors.

The Parkview standout earned his Arkansas offer from the Chad Morris staff after his sophomore season and he remained a high priority despite a knee injury that took him out for an offseason. Smith reoffered on a Junior Day at this time a year ago, making it a fitting time for Jointer to announce his decision.

As a junior, Jointer rushed for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 17.3 yards per catch as well.

This post was edited on 3/6/21 at 2:53 pm