Julius Pope is a versatile player who could be a good match for Arkansas in a variety of positions. He is most similar to the aggressive and innate former Razorback Jerico Nelson (2008–11).
Julius Pope of Batesville, Miss., South Panola was being recruited by Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his staff, but they had no idea where he would end up on the team. Pittman finally felt that they wouldn’t be able to go find 20 players who were better than him, so they’ll figure it out when he gets there. On Wednesday, Pope sealed a letter of intent with the Razorbacks.
For the 6-foot, 195-pound player, it would be wise to see him try out for the Hog position, which is Travis Williams’ defensive nickel back position. Pope is labeled as an athlete on 247Sports, although he is listed as a four-star recruit and the 39th best linebacker prospect in the country on the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. Although he was labeled as a defensive back on their online bio, he was listed as a linebacker on X when the University of Arkansas announced his signing on Wednesday.
Pittman stated, “He’s really an athlete.” “This is the story of Juju. We were watching his tape and acting in the same manner. Where are we going to play this child, we ask ourselves? Will we be playing him at Hog? Will we use him as a linebacker? Will we use him as a running back?
“Well, I don’t think we can sign 20 guys better than him, so that’s what I said. ‘Let’s take him, and then we’ll work out where to play him when he gets here,’ I decided.
“At the moment, he is a Hog on our depth chart. We’ll see, but we are aware of his ability to play running back. He can play safety, as we all know, and I believe he could also play box or willy linebacker. Let us simply wait and watch. I didn’t think we could sign twenty men better than him, therefore we signed him.”
Pittman is referring to Arkansas’ nickel back position when he says, “He’s a Hog.” That’s probably the ideal position for him. A physical presence that can tackle running backs and push through blocks while remaining nimble enough to cover slot receivers is necessary for that position.
The player who most closely resembles Pope to Arkansas supporters may be former Destrehan (La.) standout Jerico Nelson, who arrived as a 5-10, 186-pound prospect in the Class of 2008 and was sought after by several colleges to play nickel and running back. Growing to 5-10, 216 pounds, Nelson had an outstanding career in Fayetteville before spending a brief time in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. He finished his career at Arkansas with 268 tackles and 10.5 sacks.
Overview: This season, South Panola finished 11-2 and made it to the third round of the state playoffs. Pope was a versatile player for the team. Marcus Woodson, the defensive backs coach at Fayetteville, recruited Pope, who will probably be deployed as a hybrid or safety position on the defensive side of the ball. The 6-0, 195-pound player compiled a formidable early offer list that featured schools like Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Mississippi State, and Louisville. However, on April 8, he decided to commit to the Razorbacks and never gave up. His enrollment is anticipated in January.
Although Arkansas basketball has not started as well as planned, the Hoop Hogs will end the season with an 8-4 overall record and no coal in their stockings at Christmas after defeating Abilene Christian on Thursday by overcoming a seven-point halftime deficit.
Head coach Eric Musselman’s trip to the West Coast was saved, and the Razorbacks’ outstanding second half performance spared the whole staff from a few sleepless nights at the office. Before returning to the lab to face the challenging task at hand, the team will be required to take a three-day break.
“If we had lost tonight, I can assure you that I would not be traveling to San Diego,” Musselman remarked following the victory on Thursday. “I never would have taken a break. I would have wrecked everyone’s Christmas and made mine necessary in the office. The coaches and I would have met every day for the next five days.
“After the required days off, we’ll resume our work on Christmas Eve. We’ll return to two-a-days after a successful practice night on Christmas Eve.”
What, then, is on the Razorbacks’ Christmas wish list that can assist them advance this team to the next level? Here are a few ideas to consider along with some extra stocking stuffers. Ho Ho Hogs!
This is LSU’s game week. On New Year’s Day, the Tigers play Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, and a lot of change is anticipated.
Although there won’t be as many players as in previous years due to nine players choosing to use the transfer portal, majority of the roster—including star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas—has chosen to play in this game.
To begin with, this bowling session will be Garrett Nussmeier’s first career start. The third-year quarterback Nussmeier is not going to let this opportunity pass him by. He has been waiting patiently for it. Nussmeier and this offense might have a successful offseason if they play well in the ReliaQuest Bowl. During that time, he will have the opportunity to further develop his rapport with the running backs, tight ends, and receivers on the team.
When asked if he had ever second-guessed his choice to return to LSU at any point during the season, Nussmeier said that he didn’t play as much in 2023 as he would have liked following a successful finish to 2022.
Not at all. It was just a matter of waiting for the right moment, according to Nussmeier, “I knew this was the place I wanted to be, knew I wanted to be in this building, represent this university.” “It’s been a difficult three years to be patient and attempt to trust my approach and the strategy. Although it’s an odd feeling, I can’t wait to play my hardest outside. To demonstrate to others my abilities and my ability to lead this offense to its fullest potential.
Coaches Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton will also have a chance to call plays and check to see if the potential offensive coordinator is there. On December 26, LSU departs for Tampa, where a ton of events are scheduled for the week before the game. The game will begin on January 1 at 11 a.m. CT.
