Arkansas lands 3-star EDGE Kaleb James

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

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

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.”