Report: Jerry Jones makes lucrative offer to Kentucky commits to come to Arkansas

Booster backing is clearly abundant for Arkansas Basketball since their hiring of former Kentucky coach John Calipari. That’s now continuing as the Razorbacks hit the recruiting trail to put together an actual roster for him, including a reported commitment by Arkansas alum and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that’d be quite the offer if true.

Within a private discord chat, there’s buzz regarding an NIL pledge by Jones to help Calipari recruit former UK commits to Fayetteville. The alleged proposal is reportedly “double” the NIL money that they were offered to sign with Kentucky in order to flip their commitments to Arkansas.

“Jerry Jones is reportedly offering DOUBLE whatever the Kentucky commits were making to come to Arkansas, per @trillydonovan,” College Basketball Report wrote on Twitter. “Jerry Jones is an Arkansas booster and reportedly helped them hire John Calipari last week.”

If correct, it’s uncertain of how Jones would be paying out such a so-called contribution. However, it would all but certainly be in connection to a collective for the Razorbacks. That could be with Athlete Advocate Consortium, Arkansas EDGE, or otherwise.

It’s also unclear how notable the figure from Jones actually would be. There’s no suspected amount about these commits were going to make in name, image, and likeness while at Kentucky, which makes it difficult to calculate what “double” exactly would mean in this specific matter.

Before leaving the bluegrass, Calipari had recruited the No. 2 class in On3’s 2024 Industry Basketball Team Recruiting Rankings. It was yet another top class for him from over his 15 seasons leading the program.

Amongst that group was one five-star talent and five four-star prospects. Only one of those, Travis Perry, is still committed to the Wildcats today as an in-state recruit. Jayden Quaintance, Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond, and Somto Cyril have all either decommitted or requested a release from their NLIs since the coaching change at Kentucky. From there, all of their recruitments have reopened with Arkansas as well as Kentucky still options for all of them.

That’s not to mention the former Wildcats that are currently available in the transfer portal. The ‘Hogs called in their first one this week with the addition of Zvonimir Ivisic. After that, DJ Wagner, Adou Thiero, and Joey Hart are also still available for transfer with all three likely having varying interest in reuniting with Calipari at Arkansas.

The Razorbacks will certainly be in play for other transfers too with plenty of opportunity available inside Bud Walton Arena.

All this comes after funds from boosters were apparently key in bringing Calipari to Fayetteville. That includes contributions from John Tyson, an old friend of his who seemingly played a part in Arkansas’ coaching search.

Again, there’s nothing concrete about this supposed news regarding Jones and his alma mater. Still, if actually right, this would certainly be a pretty penny coming in from the Cowboys’ owner.