Rivals250 athlete Julius Pope is looking the Hogs.
The four-star out of Mississippi introduced his dedication to Arkansas on Saturday night, offering the Razorbacks with a notable recruiting win in early April. Arkansas beat out Alabama, Louisville, Michigan, Ole Miss, and Oregon for Pope’s pledge.
Pope noticed his inventory explode in a giant approach this winter. Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide turned the primary to supply in January. The Razorbacks and Wolverines shortly adopted swimsuit, and he has made his choice only a few months later.
He breaks down his dedication to Arkansas with Rivals.
*****
The Arkansas employees made Pope a precedence from the second that they prolonged a scholarship supply to the South Panola standout. Particularly, working backs coach Jimmy Smith and co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson.
These relationships paid off in a giant approach within the Razorbacks touchdown the four-star over SEC rivals and nationwide applications.
« I made my dedication to Arkansas, as a result of they confirmed me love, » Pope informed Rivals. « The coaches textual content and name me each day. I like the surroundings up there. »
Woodson, particularly, performed a significant position in Pope’s recruitment. Woodson has deep Mississippi ties, and the 2 hit it off from the beginning. Pope trusts that Woodson will help get him to the place he desires to be.
« Coach Woodson is aware of find out how to train younger males, and he is nice at what he does, » mentioned Pope.
Arkansas hosted Pope on campus in March. It was his first go to of the spring and his first have a look at the Razorbacks. He got here away impressed with what the SEC West program needed to supply.
« The very first thing (that stood out) was the coaches, » Pope mentioned about his go to to Fayetteville. « They hold the principle factor the principle factor. Then, I just like the surroundings. The folks up there love their Hogs. »
Now that his dedication is out of the best way, Pope is targeted serving to the Razorbacks take the following step and attain the following degree. He has massive objectives in thoughts as soon as he will get as much as the Pure State for his collegiate profession.
« I’m bringing a team-first sort of man, » Pope mentioned. « A canine. A participant that can put himself ready that can make the crew win a nationwide championship. »
*****
Juju Pope’s dedication is additional proof within the hiring of Marcus Woodson paying dividends on the recruiting path. Woodson has confirmed himself to be a powerful recruiter, particularly in his house state of Mississippi. Sam Pittman added him to the employees earlier this offseason.
Pope noticed his recruitment take off within the winter with provides flying in from main applications starting from the Pac-12 to the SEC. In the long run, his bond with a number of Razorbacks coaches received out. He’s the second blue chip prospect out of Mississippi to decide to Arkansas within the 2024 cycle, becoming a member of Noreel White.
The four-star has performed everywhere in the discipline at a tradition-rich program within the Magnolia State. He has made a distinction at working again, on protection, and even particular groups. His versatility makes him an intriguing prospect, and he probably initiatives finest on the defensive facet at linebacker or in a hybrid position the place he can put his instincts and vary on full show.
Rivals ranks Juju Pope because the No. 215 general recruit within the 2024 recruiting cycle. He’s the No. 10 prospect in Mississippi and No. 18 athlete. Pope joins an Arkansas class that additionally options White, four-star defensive finish Kavion Henderson, and three-star defensive sort out Dion Stutts.