Interview with Arkansas commitment Alexy Jean-Baptiste
Written by Ryan Wright
The Arkansas Razorbacks added verbal commitment No. 8 to their 2016 recruiting class on Tuesday landing Coconut Creek High School safety Alexy Jean-Baptiste.
Jean-Baptiste was a hard hitting safety for the Cougars in 2014 leading to 26 reported scholarship offers by the time he verbally committed to the Hogs. Some of the teams to offer the 3-star recruit include Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Oregon State, Cincinnati, Iowa State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Pitt, Syracuse, Central Florida, Maryland, Illinois, and Indiana.
We caught up with the Florida Class of 2016 talent to get the inside scoop on his commitment to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Alexy, first, congratulations on your commitment to the Razorbacks.
“Thank you.”
What led you to commit to the Razorbacks today?
“The coaching staff was on point with where my recruitment was going and they have a lot of Florida players up there.”
Who did you commit to?
“Coach (Vernon) Hargreaves (linebackers coach).”
What was his reaction when you verbally committed? Was he excited?
“Yes he was. He said, “Can’t wait to have you on the team and to come up on campus.”
Do you know when you will get a chance to visit the Arkansas campus?
“Hopefully sometime this summer.”
Did you get to talk to Coach (Bret) Bielema (head coach) when you committed?
“I only talked to Coach Hargreaves.”
Do you still plan to take your visits during your senior season?
“Yes.”
Do you know which schools you will officially visit?
“No, not yet.”
Do you plan to take any other unofficial visits or go to any one-day college camps over the summer?
“I’m trying to go to camps but I don’t know about the visits. If I camp somewhere I’ll visit then but I don’t which schools yet.”
Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?
“I’m going to recruit one player. There’s a player committed to Wisconsin, Dallas Jeantry (LB – Fort Lauderdale). We want to try to play together in college.”
When you visit the Arkansas campus what are you hoping to see when you arrive in Fayetteville?
“I’m hoping they have a crazy fan base and a great campus.”
What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year? Have you been doing a lot of workouts?
“Yes, I have a 7×7 team, we have a national championship this weekend. So, I’ve been training a lot for that. The tournament is at IMG Academy.”
What’s the name of your 7×7 team?
“Miami Showcase.”
Good luck this weekend.
“Thank you.”
Arkansas picked up a verbal commitment over the weekend landing Trophy Club, Texas offensive tackle Kellen Diesch.
Arkansas 2016 Verbal Commitment List
DT Austin Capps, 6’4”, 305 lbs, Star City HS, Star City, Arkansas
DT Briston Guidry, 6’2”, 290 lbs, Rummel HS, Metairie, Louisiana
LB De’jon Harris, 6’1”, 230 lbs, John Ehret HS, Marrero, Louisiana
SS Alexy Jean-Baptiste, 6’3”, 205 lbs, Coconut Creek HS, Coconut Creek, Florida
OT Kellen Diesch, 6’7”, 272 lbs, Byron Nelson, Trophy Club, Texas
RB/WR T.J. Hammonds, 5’11”, 192 lbs, Pulaski Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas
WR Jordan Jones, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Smackover HS, Smackover, Arkansas
QB Cole Kelley, 6’7”, 245 lbs, Teurlings Catholic, Lafayette, Louisiana
Photo credit: scout.com; No. 4 Alexy Jean-Baptiste