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Arkansas Shut Door on Past Players Access to Program

One former Razorback says access to Razorbacks' practice has been blocked with no explanation given, Hogs fans should demand better than mediocrity

Jacob Davis

Arkansas player Brooks Ellis speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel.
Arkansas player Brooks Ellis speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. / Butch Dill-Imagn Images
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The fate of Sam Pittman as Arkansas' coach has been one of the hottest topics in college football for the better part of two seasons.

At one point, the Razorbacks looked like they had finally turned corner as a program from the darkest times in history from 2017-20 and that is still true. However, things have become stagnant after Pittman began his tenure at Arkansas with a 15-11 record before a fumbled leap by KJ Jefferson from the three -yard line against Texas A&M popped the Hogs' bubble of confidence.

Despite winning more games this season, some of Arkansas' fans still haven't come back around to the thought of Pittman turning this ship around after going 4-8 last year. Even former starting linebacker Brooks Ellis isn't pleased with "mediocrity" that is said to be the expectation now, even though he says the Razorbacks can win now and money not be an issue.

Ellis had made several posts over the past week about how unsatisfied he is with the state of Arkansas football. One of his first major points was how inconsistent the Razorbacks have been against certain opponents.

"[Arkansas] wins games that it's not supposed to, but barely wins games that it should blow teams out of the water," Ellis said in his X post. "The [Razorbacks] barely showed up for Louisiana Tech, lose against a horrible Oklahoma State team and it's just so inconsistent. They're not growing, not moving forward and not improving."

He also mentioned Arkansas' brotherhood of alum were always encouraged to attend practice and be around the program. Ellis mentioned his first time coming back around ended up being his last as former players were no longer allowed view practice.

"When I come back to watch practice, and then the very next day that's taken away, no longer are alumni allowed to come to practice. That's a crazy thing, especially the day after I go to practice."

"[Coach Pittman] takes away my ability to go watch practice," Ellis said. "I've never once asked to go to a game. It's just about practice. So anyways, didn't really love that. And if you don't want to be a part of the team, then I'm not going to support [the coach]."

It should be noted that the media's access to practice also went from extremely limited to literally none once preparations for the season began. Pittman and his staff didn't want anything getting out this year for any reason.

To quote legendary 76ers point guard Allen Iverson, "We're talking about practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We're talking about practice."

It's one thing to deny access to a games now that they can be seen on television with a streaming service, but practice is a different story when it comes to former players. Idt's doubtful Ellis or any former Razorback wants to share secretive information with conference rivals, UAPB, Oklahoma State or whoever the school schedules.

Pittman likely has his reasoning for restricting access to past players. There's two sides to every story, but something seems off if no one relayed the message as to why practice viewing has been shuttered.

One of the biggest blows to Arkansas during the offseason was the transfer of starting linebacker Chris Paul to Ole Miss. Ellis believes the program should be prideful and serious in keeping its best players no matter the cost and money shouldn't be an issue.

"When I see the team not really performing to the level that they're capable of, and we're not making the most of our players, and our best players are leaving to go elsewhere, to our rival college, not because they're getting playing time, but they're getting more money to go to another college, and it's our rival Ole Miss. How is that possible? We're losing our best players. That should not be the case. There should be pride to play for this program and money should not be the issue."

HOGS FEED:

• Hawks serve as slump-buster for air of struggling Razorbacks

• Non-football sports, corporate sponsors why football has chance next season

• Arkansas broke or almost broke numerous records last night

• Live Blog: Arkansas vs. Maryland Eastern Shore

• There's one caveat being ignored in revenue sharing discussion

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Jacob Davis
JACOB DAVIS

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