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Jermaine Eluemunor, arguably the best recruit on Arkansas' 2014 commitment list, and rated the top juco offensive tackle in the country, announced today that he was flipping his commitment from Arkansas to Texas A&M after a visit to College Station over the weekend.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I have decided to flip my commitment to the Aggies for more than one reason it felt like home and I like where the program is headed....</p>— Jermaine Eluemunor (@TheMainShow_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMainShow_/statuses/394875255631912960">October 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I want to thank all the coaches at Arkansas for their time and especially the fans you guys are awesome I hope nothing but the best for Ark</p>— Jermaine Eluemunor (@TheMainShow_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMainShow_/statuses/394875473177882624">October 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Please Arkansas fans keep the negative comments to yourself...</p>— Jermaine Eluemunor (@TheMainShow_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMainShow_/statuses/394876540816986112">October 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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So there you have it. Obviously, this is a big blow to Arkansas' recruiting class.
But losing Eluemunor isn't embarrassing. This is the second time he's flipped. He was committed to UCLA before he was committed to Arkansas. That's just how some of these prospects are. It's frustrating, but if you choose to follow recruiting closely, that's part of the game.
What is embarrassing was this from Sunday night:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Why NFL doesn't draft spread offense O-Lineman!!!! Might want to think about this before u play ur college career in a spread offense!💰💵</p>— Chris Hauser (@ChrisHauserJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisHauserJr/statuses/394621599095083008">October 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Chris Hauser is Arkansas' Director of Recruiting, and this is not a good look.
Everybody knew Eluemunor was in College Station over the weekend. It wasn't a big secret that he was taking a serious look at the Aggies. So it's not lost on anybody what that tweet was referring to.
First of all, it's not true. A&M has been widely recognized last year and this year for having one of the best offensive lines in the country, with top draft prospects both years.
Secondly, I get that recruiting is slimy. Not just in sports - any big business. But keep that type of stuff out of the public sphere. There's a reason why it's against the rules for coaches to mention recruits by name. It's to avoid recruiting spin and keep some of the public pressure off of prospects. We don't need to start make veiled attacks at other programs.
If you want to promote yourself or your own program, fine. Great. Bielema and Hauser haven't been shy about doing that over social media since Bielema was hired, and Hauser continued to do that after this tweet.
But taking what is clearly a veiled shot at a division rival for the purpose of swaying a recruit that you appear to be on the brink of losing is not cool. It opens you up for widespread mockery because it looks like an act of desperation, and it probably was.
October 2013 has been one of the worst months in Razorback football history. We're having to write that too often in the last couple of years. Arkansas strongly needs something good to happen. But the program should also be doing what it can to keep appearances up. Keep the panic moves private.
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Oh, and about the same hour as Eluemunor decommitted, Bielema started talking about this at his press conference:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bielema says contacted SEC office due to game tape issues w/ Auburn. He says "TV copy" doesn't match "film copy." <a href="http://t.co/3LK1X5ymf2">http://t.co/3LK1X5ymf2</a></p>— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/statuses/394873289937412096">October 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Which led off a firestorm of commentary about Bielema suggesting Malzahn and Auburn were doctoring film. And the play he was referring to? A swinging-gate formation on Auburn's extra points.
Yes, we're talking about extra point formations.
Why this is necessary to bring up is beyond me. Especially since Bielema made a very strong effort to make clear he "was sure it was a glitch. I know Gus stands for everything that's right."
Why even bring it up?