4-star RB Harold Joiner admits he’s been close to giving a commitment

quote:

---

MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. — If it were up to Harold Joiner, the nation’s No. 5-ranked running back would be committed.

Of course, that isn’t the case.

Joiner, a 4-star prospect from Alabama, had originally planned on making a decision ahead of his senior season — or at least early on. The U.S. Army All-American has toyed with the idea of giving a verbal pledge and knows the school he would choose. However, his father advised patience, which is why Joiner is expected to take up to four official visits before finalizing his plans in December.

The plan, Joiner said, is to wrap up his senior season at Mountain Brook (Ala.) High School and head to San Antonio, Texas, committed. He already has a strong idea of which school he’s favoring.

“I’ve thought about it,” Joiner told SEC Country when asked if he’s been close to committing. “My dad is telling me to hold off and wait. He’s telling me to wait because I’m putting some other schools in it that need a running back, not just want one, and I can see who gets drafted and what running backs [my top] schools pick up.

“I’m pretty confident it’s LSU. I wanted to commit somewhere and I’ve thought of committing somewhere early, as early as last month, but my dad wanted me to hold off.”

The Tigers have been out in front for the 6-foot-3, 218-pound tailback on and off since the spring. Early on, Joiner named LSU as his top school, given the Tigers’ need for backs in 2018 with the impending departures of senior Darrel Williams and junior Derrius Guice. That faded quickly after the team landed commitments from Chris Curry and Tae Provens, but running backs coach Tommie Robinson worked feverishly to again improve LSU’s standing with Joiner.

Joiner has made his top school obvious since visiting last month for the Auburn game. He has sported purple-and-gold Tigers gloves the last few weeks to symbolize the direction he’s leaning and provided this rationale for why LSU is out in front.

“It just feels at home,” Joiner explained. “I fit in great there. The coaches don’t lie to me and I know who I have to beat out. I know who’s leaving and it should be good there. The coaches are honest with me and Coach T-Rob knows I can play my freshman year.

“I know I can at least rotate in my freshman year, but I know I need to get developed and learn the playbook. But it shows me that he’s up front with me and honest and won’t lie to me.”

---