Arkansas 2016 OL Commit Jake Heinrich is 100 Percent with the Razorbacks
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
This time of year college football fans across the nation start to get a little tense with about a month left to go before National Signing Day. Either fans are wondering how the rest of a given class will fill out to help the program for years to come or fearful of a few players deflecting to other programs down the backstretch.
For the Razorback Nation, the surprise loss of offensive line coach Sam Pittman to Georgia at the end of the 2015 regular season was worrisome after a lot of positive ground had been made with various 2016 offensive line recruits. The other fear factor was having either of the two offensive lineman currently committed to Arkansas’ class following Pittman to the Bulldogs. For at least Urbandale High School star offensive lineman Jake Heinrich, the loss of Pittman has not changed his status with Arkansas.
Heinrich is a member of the West squad in the Semper Fidelis All-American Game but is not physically playing after needing surgery on his right hand months ago. A freak accident doing a workout drill led to a dislocated wrist that needed surgery to repair. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I was able to talk with Heinrich during the West squad’s practice on Friday getting an update on his health status and recruiting situation.
Interview
Jake, what happened to your arm? How did you end up in a cast?
“I dislocated my wrist about 3.5 months ago pushing on a sled. I caught the corner of the sled and the bone twisted out and up. I tore some ligaments. I had surgery to clear some of that up so there will not be any problems in the future being able to put force and weight on it. I have about two more weeks and then I start my rehab.”
Are any teams coming after you trying to flip you as National Signing Day nears?
“At this point there are two teams that are contacting me – ISU (Iowa State) and Oregon, other than Arkansas of course, but it’s nothing too serious. I get a few messages from them but I do not have any visits set up.”
How did Sam Pittman leaving Arkansas for Georgia affect you?
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make a difference. I would have loved to play for him but I can’t fault him for going to Georgia and doing what he felt was best for him.”
Are you recruiting any players participating in the Semper Fi Game to join you at Arkansas?
“I talked to (running back) D’Vaughn Pennamon (Manvel High School, Manvel, TX) the other day about Arkansas a little. He said he enjoyed his visit to Arkansas but he is committed to Ole Miss and I think he’s solid with them.”
How is everything in the classroom?
“Everything is good in the classroom. I finished with all A’s last semester. I think that was the first time ever.”
You’re enrolling at Arkansas in the summer, right?
“Yes.”
How has your time in Orange County gone so far?
“I’m enjoying the week here in California, the sun, and being around football.”
Jake, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your rehab and at Arkansas next season.
“Thank you.”
Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl Information
Location: Carson, California
Site: StubHub Center
Date: Jan. 3
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m.
Coverage: FOX Sports 1
Arkansas Razorbacks 2016 Verbal Commitment List
SS Deon Edwards, 6’0”, 195 lbs, Lake Minneola HS, Minneola, FL
SS Alexy Jean-Baptiste, 6’3”, 205 lbs, Coconut Creek HS, Coconut Creek, FL
DE McTelvin Agim, 6’3”, 269 lbs, Hope HS, Hope, AR
DT Austin Capps, 6’4”, 306 lbs, Star City HS, Star City, AR
DT Briston Guidry, 6’3”, 275 lbs, Rummel HS, Metairie, LA
LB Jordan Carmouche, 6’1”, 230 lbs, Manvel HS, Manvel, TX
LB Dejon Harris, 5’11”, 235 lbs, John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
OG Terrance Malone, Northwest Mississippi C.C., Senatobia, MS
OT Jake Heinrich, 6’5, 290 lbs, Urbandale HS, Urbandale, IA
QB Cole Kelley, 6’7”, 235 lbs, Teurlings Catholic HS, Lafayette, LA
RB T.J. Hammonds, 5’11”, 196 lbs, Robinson HS, Little Rock, AR
FB Hayden Johnson, 6’3”, 252 lbs, Rock Bridge HS, Columbia, MO
TE Grayson Gunter, 6’6”, 230 lbs, Madison Central HS, Madison, MS
WR Kofi Boateng, 6’1”, 175 lbs, Arlington Lamar HS, Arlington, TX
WR Jordan Jones, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Smackover HS, Smackover, AR
WR Kiel Pollard, 6’1”, 228 lbs, Colquitt County, Moultrie, AR
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jake Heinrich at the Semper Fidelis All-American Game West squad practice, Jan. 1, 2016.