A visit with 4-star wide receiver JJ Harrell as he says his ‘recruitment is still open’
OXFORD, Miss. — Fifty years ago, legendary baseball player Yogi Berra uttered the infamous words, “It ain’t over till it’s over” — and that certainly is true in the case of the football recruitment of talented four-star wide receiver and Mississippi native JJ Harrell.
Harrell is one of the class of 2024’s most coveted wide receivers. The 6-foot, 187-pound speedster out of Sardis, Miss. (North Panola High School) is ranked as the No. 22 wide receiver in the country and the No. 3 overall player in the ‘Sip.
As of now, Harrell is committed to Tennessee; however, there’s still a long way until National Signing Day in December and he has remained open to other schools remaining in the hunt — as his twitter post of May 5 indicates.
my recruitment is still open to anyone interested in me.
— JJ Harrell (@cantcover4) May 5, 2023
You can bet every top program from coast to coast is taking note that the door to Harrell’s recruitment is still open. The Rebel Walk was fortunate to catch up with JJ recently to talk with him about the reopening of his recruitment and what schools have been vying for his attention.
“I’ve earned everything I’ve got so far, so I gotta enhance the opportunities to go visit and get recruited by teams I used to watch when I was younger,” Harrell told us on keeping his recruitment open.
Harrell says Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and A&M have continued to recruit him strong even after his commitment to Tennessee.
“I’ll be visiting a lot of places this summer,” Harrell added on his plans for visits and camps.
Look for Harrell to keep generating more buzz this off season as he continues to put in the work with his team during Spring ball — and as he seeks to earn that fifth star before it’s all said and done.
JJ Harrell (@cantcover4) 4⭐️ WR from North Panola had himself a game friday night in the First Round of the playoffs. 4 catches for 161 yds, 3 TDs & a 2pt conversion. #AVIsionMedia #Next1UpSportz #SidelineConvos pic.twitter.com/TgRz6W4RmF
— AVIsion Media© (@dj_AVIsionMedia) November 6, 2022
Whether you have the opportunity to see Harrell in person or on tape, he shows why he is such a dynamic player and why the Rebels and many top programs continue trying to find a way to catch his attention.
Ole Miss has a chance to keep making up some ground down the stretch as the Rebs push hard toward the recruiting finish line of the 2024 cycle.
who all wanna see me and @BraylonBurnside play together next level?👀🦈🔴🔵 @DerrickDnix @_kbolden @CoachAlexFaulk @Lane_Kiffin @Collins_OleMiss @CoachQ_OleMiss pic.twitter.com/0Kgv6A2QtU
— JJ Harrell (@cantcover4) February 1, 2023
Timetable for a decision
When we visited with Harrell, we asked him what his timetable for a decision would be.
“I would make a final decision come December on Signing Day.“
JJ Harrell
With early Signing Day coming December 21, 2023, there’s no doubt Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, wide receivers coach Derrick Nix and coordinator of recruiting strategy Kelvin Bolden will be in it for the long haul, especially with the opportunity to keep a talent as explosive as Harrell at home.
— JJ Harrell (@cantcover4) May 7, 2023
Advice from JJ on recruiting process
As sports media, we see the recruitment process for each of these players from many viewpoints at a time, but no one can share the experience better than the athlete, himself, who is going through the process.
We asked Harrell what his advice is to high school players — whether they’re an athlete at the top of the list of the most coveted players, or ones looking to make their mark this season.
“My advice to any kids going through the recruitment process is to keep trusting God and pay attention to if you’re needed, not wanted. You have to feel like a priority; that’s how you know if you’re making the right decision. Keep dreaming big and keep manifesting your dreams, you will eventually wake up with them in your face.”
JJ Harrell on advice to recruits
Harrell wanted to also be sure and share this with his home state.
“I love the support I get from the entire state of Mississippi. They play a major part in my success so far, I’m a SipBoy 4L!”
JJ Harrell on his home state
Stay tuned for more on this race to the finish for one of the most talented players in the nation!
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
