A talk with University of Arkansas football Coach Sam Pittman and his relationship with linebackers coach Michael Scherer helped linebacker Jordan Crook's decision to orally commit to the Razorbacks on Saturday.
Crook, who made an official visit to Fayetteville on June 25-27, went public with his commitment while attending Arkansas' cookout for prospects Saturday.
The environment around the program was one of several reasons why Crook chose to be Hog, he said.
''The ability to play in the SEC, the opportunity, the relationships I have with the coaches," said Crook, who plans to be an early graduate and enroll at Arkansas in January. "That was key for me."
Crook, 6-0, 225 pounds, of Duncanville, Texas, accumulated scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Missouri, Baylor, Nebraska, Michigan, Southern Cal, Texas Tech, Colorado, Illinois and others before picking Arkansas.
He said his talk to Pittman before leaving from his official visit put the wheels in motion for him to be a Razorback.
''That kind of sealed the deal," Crook said. "He was telling me he needs a linebacker. He was telling me he needed me real bad."
Starting linebacker Grant Morgan will be a sixth-year senior this fall while starting linebacker Bumper Pool will be a fourth-year senior. Crook said he sees a chance to play immediately.
''Especially with the situation with the linebackers leaving after this year," Crook said. "It's free game and with me being confident, I feel like I can play day one.''
A former Oklahoma State commitment, Crook is rated a 3-star prospect and the No. 30 inside linebacker in the nation for the 2022 class. As a junior, he recorded 93 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 3 interceptions, returning two for scores.
His highlight video shows a linebacker that's a physical and punishing tackler.
"I look for certain attack points," he said. "I try to be smart when being physical. You want to be controlled. That's how I try to model my game."
A team captain, Crook has a 3.4 grade-point average and is considering majoring in business marketing.
Coaches often say the best recruiters are the players already on campus. Crook, who was hosted by senior linebacker Deon Edwards on his official visit, said the current Razorback players helped him with his decision.
'They kept it real with me,'' Crook said. ''A couple of those guys have been through a few staffs and they had nothing to say but good things about this most recent staff. The love everybody has for Coach Pittman. He's a player's coach. That's somebody I want to play for.''
When Scherer was elevated to linebackers earlier this year, he made sure to offer Crook on Feb 9.
''That played a big part in it with me being the first linebacker they offered," Crook said of his decision. "I thought that was pretty big because he sees so many. Obviously that's the type of school you want to go to and the type of coach you want to be under."
Crook also said he and his parents were at ease around Scherer.
''Coach Scherer is a young coach, very relatable," he said. "That's kind of key, honestly. I was real comfortable on my official for it to be my first time. I was very comfortable and my parents were to and that said a lot.''
Crook is Arkansas' 17th commitment for Arkansas' 2022 class. Oral commitments are nonbinding.