Confusion Wednesday Shows How Emotional Hog Fans Will Be When Russell Announces

If over-reaction to not knowing how question mark works is any indication, Arkansas fans will lose their minds Friday no matter whether top back chooses Razorbacks, Vols

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jul 13, 2023 6:55 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 13, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – If the response Wednesday afternoon to a post Benton running back Braylen Russell put out of himself in a Tennessee uniform, the only such team associated post since he announced he will reveal his decision on Friday, then if the high 4-star running back chooses to go somewhere else, the state highway department might want to string a few nets along Arkansas bridges.

Basic understanding of punctuation in the English language should have clued Razorback fans that this wasn't an announcement, but that didn't stop them from losing their minds and sending radio hosts scrambling to see if something happened without them knowing it. That being said, if Russell's social media is any indicator, the people of Arkansas might want to brace themselves for another round of disappointment as it pertains to the in-state 2024 class.

With four of the Top 9 players in the state, including national Top 10 quarterback Walker White, heading to Power Five teams out of state, including three SEC teams, adding a fifth player and fourth SEC team to the list would be a minor disaster. It could become even worse with the Volunteers popping onto the schedule next year.

Russell's final list includes Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina. Baylor also got a visit, but didn't make the final cut. Of those teams, only the Volunteers have received individualized attention over the past 23 days. It should be noted that in another post, Russell shows he and his mother enjoying life amid a party scene at Tennessee, although everyone outside the Russell family certainly looked a little awkward in the video. It almost looks the Russell and his relatives have too much swag for Knoxville.

The one theme that seems to run throughout Russell's process is family. He makes it a point to mention that his mother was having a good time at Tennessee. That's not the best news for Razorback fans from a recruit who already decommitted from Arkansas after getting cold feet back in October. Futher evidence that family plays a large role in his decision comes from a post from his visit to Baylor.

Apparently, she didn't love it because less than a month later the Bears were officially out. A survey of the media across Arkansas and Tennessee indicates both states believe their assigned school gets its name called on Friday. The only team not getting a lot of buzz is South Carolina, which has proven to mean nothing over the years.

Whichever team lands Russell on Friday gets a huge SEC ready back at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds with tree trunks for legs and deceptive speed. His highlight reel shows him running through and by the first two levels and pulling away from defensive backs similar to how charging buffaloes crash across the plains with power that hides how fast they move. For Arkansas fans needing a comparison, his junior year in high school body compares to where current Razorbacks running back Raheim Sanders enters the season.

If Sam Pittman's band of merry recruiters can convince Russell and his family to stay home, it could set off a mini run of Top 300 recruits coming the Razorbacks' way. If he heads the other way on I-40, the next few months become a scramble to keep up.

The wind blows Friday. Hopefully, for the sake of Arkansas fans, it blows Northwest instead of Northeast. Otherwise, Wednesday serves as a appetizer for a whole new level of crazy yet to come.