Army Bowl: LSU is out for Rivals250 RB Harold Joiner, what's next?

SAN ANTONIO - For weeks it looked like Rivals250 Mountain Brook, Ala., athlete/running back Harold Joiner was headed towards an LSU commitment. From Joiner's perspective, the Tigers made it clear that he was a priority, with head coach Ed Orgeron doing an in-home visit with Joiner just prior to the start of the dead period.

If things had gone to plan, Joiner was planning on announcing his commitment to the Tigers during Saturday's Army Bowl. But over the past few weeks, things have unraveled, and now Joiner is left re-evaluating his options.

"LSU is out," Joiner said following Monday's practice. "I tried to reach out to them during the early signing period to find out what the plan was but I haven't heard back from anyone. I guess that's not going to happen anymore."

With the Tigers off the table, many have assumed Ole Miss will be the team to beat, but Joiner was non-committal about the Rebels standing in his recruitment. Instead he mentioned Auburn and UCLA as the schools most likely to get official visits between now and Signing Day.

"I'm trying to set one up with Auburn for Jan. 12," Joiner said. "I'll probably go to UCLA the following weekend."

The Tigers obviously have appeal to Joiner considering he's an Alabama native and he said he grew up admiring the school during its run to a national championship in 2010-11.

"When I was a kid I just liked whoever was winning," Joiner said. "And that's when Auburn had Cam (Newton) and all of them so that was a fun team to watch and root for."

Joiner said he's had regular talks with the Tigers coaches and is waiting to see how things go on the upcoming visit so he can see how and if he fits into Auburn's plans.

"They've always showed me a lot of energy and attention," Joiner said.

As far as UCLA, they have been in the mix for sometime and Joiner said that running backs coach DeShaun Foster is a big reason for that.

"Coach Foster has always been texting me and staying on me through everything," Joiner said. "He was a big back like me and he said that's what he likes to recruit."

Joiner said he's open to leaving the south the play in the Pac-12, but much of that will depend on how he feels after his official visit.

"I could see myself going far from home," he said. "But I have to see how I like it when I'm out there and how I could potentially fit into that program."

Joiner added he's anticipating not making a decision on a commitment until Feb. 7.