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Mansfield (Texas) defensive lineman Kaleb James has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. James, 6-4, 250, went public with his college choice on Tuesday, his birthday, to become the Hogs’ sixth commitment for the Class of 2023.

James chose Sam Pittman’s program over five other finalists in Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas Tech, and SMU. He also held offers from Arizona State, Cincinnati, Colorado, Kansas State, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Utah, and many others.

James, who transferred to Mansfield from Fort Worth Nolan Catholic during the Christmas break, has actually been on Arkansas’ commit list for several weeks.

"I told Coach Pittman before the Missouri game,” James said. “I know it was his birthday weekend, but he was very excited. He was pushing me to commit in the weeks before that. I just felt right at the time when I was on campus, so I just went with it.

“I asked my dad, I was like 'I think this is the place for me. If you're ok with me committing then I'm going to do it.' My dad was like 'It's all up to you, I'm going to support you in whatever you do.' I just went with it."

The Texas native was offered by the Razorbacks after a camp last June and made multiple trips to Fayetteville throughout the rest of the 2021 calendar year. James and his father returned again last Saturday to shoot video for his commitment announcement, and they’ll be back again this Saturday for more one-on-one time with the staff.

"It feels great,” James said. “There were a lot of factors going into it. One being the SEC, I've always wanted to play in the SEC since I was a little kid. Two, I just think that Coach Pittman is building a really great program there.

“I really believe in Coach Pittman and what he has to offer, and the type of person he is. All of the love that the staff has shown me so far, and then the academics."

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, James is a three-star prospect, the No. 51 defensive lineman in the nation, and the No. 54 overall target in the state of Texas for the Class of 2023. 247Sports gives James a similar ranking, listing him as the No. 53 defensive lineman in the land and the No. 63 player in the Lone Star State.

James was recruited to Fayetteville by second-year defensive line coach Jermial Ashley. James’ commitment pushes Arkansas’ 2023 class past Texas A&M and USC to No. 4 in the nation and No. 2 in the SEC for the Class of 2023.

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Kaleb James took that one last visit to Arkansas over the weekend, but it wasn’t really needed.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound EDGE out of Mansfield (Texas) first visited Arkansas in June. James camped there, earned the offer, and he left Fayetteville seven months ago feeling good about the Razorbacks.

“I don’t know what it was, but I left that camp just having that feeling about Arkansas,” James told On3. “I just felt something that day. It was different.”

James went on to pile up over 20 offers, take visits, and establish relationships with coaches, but he kept coming back to Arkansas.

When he visited Fayetteville for the Missouri game (the second game of the season James attended) on Nov. 26, he let Sam Pittman know of his decision.

“It was actually coach Pittman’s birthday and before the game, in his office, I committed to him. I think he knew I liked Arkansas a lot, but he was surprised at the timing of my commitment.

“He was super-excited.”

—Sam Pittman played big role in James’ commitment

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It was not easy for James to hold that commitment in for a month and a half. He was down to six schools; Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, SMU, and Texas Tech. Four of those had head coaching changes since the start of the 2021 football season.

The stability at Arkansas pushed the Razorbacks to the top.

“Coach Pittman is different. He was very influential in my decision. He is such a high character person and who he is, is a big part of why I picked Arkansas.

“Coach Pittman is not selling you on Arkansas as a school, but the program he is building. He can do that because he is not going anywhere. He is building something special at Arkansas.

“Some commit to brands and logos, but that is not me. I am committing to Arkansas and coach Pittman. I believe in him and what he is building.”

—Arkansas feels like home to James

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Since earning that offer over the summer, James has visited Arkansas four times. He has camped, attended a junior day, and taken in two Razorback games.

The star out of Texas has a good feel for Fayetteville.

“It honestly feels like a home away from home,” James said. “At Arkansas I feel safe, secure, and at home. Coach Pittman is leading a great program and it is a great place without many distractions.

“The people are super-nice, the energy is great, and the fans are all fired up about Arkansas football. They live for Razorback football and I am excited to be part of that.”