Alabama RB Harold Joiner visits Baton Rouge, leaves with LSU offer
HARVEY, La. — Harold Joiner stands out... in a good way. He is a 6-foot-3, 214 pound athlete out of Mountain Brook (Ala.) who looks the part and he can move. At the Rivals New Speed Combine, he was one that created a lot of buzz from the minute he walked in the gates.
Well over a dozen schools have offered Joiner and the most recent to do so is LSU. Ed Orgeron and the Tigers had Joiner on campus Friday and before leaving, the new LSU head coach coach extended the offer.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: "The offer was a little surprising, but they have been showing me interest," said Joiner. "I got the offer from Coach O (Head coach Ed Orgeron) at the end of the visit and he told he wanted to make the offer in person instead of over the phone so I know it is official. He went on to talk to me about how they have what I am looking in a school; a family, a winning coaching staff and a school that is ready to win a championship. He went into detail about all of those things and that was impressive.
"When I first got there for the visit Friday, they showed me around, then they took me to the weight room and it was full of energy. They were working out, so I got to see some of that and they were working hard. I got to talk to Derrius Guice, he was real cool and it was good vibes all around.
"I know about their history at running back and that really does help them with me. They have produced some great ones and they really know how to feature their running backs. They run a downhill offense and I like that a lot.
"My interest in LSU is pretty high. I like the school a lot. I do not have any favorites, but I do like them a lot."
RIVALS REACTION: It has been a big a good start to March for Joiner, he has added half a five offers. LSU is the latest and before that it was Mississippi State and UCLA. Auburn offered him very early in the recruiting process and the Tigers have to be considered a strong contender. It is an in-state school, like Alabama, but the Crimson Tide have yet o offer. Schools still have plenty of time with Joiner, he does not plan to make a decision until after his senior season.
