Three Questions For Arkansas Going Into Spring Practice

Sam Pittman will have more questions than answers with revamped roster

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Sam Pittman returns for year five of his tenure as head coach. This season will be under a microscope more than any prior to 2024. Arkansas will need to find its swagger at home again after being embarrassed in two of its last three games inside Razorback Stadium in 2023. 

The Razorbacks are set to break in a new starting quarterback, running back and nearly every position along the offensive line. Defensively, the outlook at linebacker is bleak but at least the defensive line and secondary provide promise. Even special teams aren't immune to change with kicker Cam Little forgoing his senior season and venturing into the NFL.

Identifying Linebackers

Talk about a group that was full of ups and downs a year ago. Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin), Chris Paul (Ole Miss) and Jordan Crook (Arizona State) were all considered starters or contributed immensely last season. Mani Powell was a blow to the perceived depth at the position when he decided to head out west for UNLV.

The Hogs were able to land former 5-star Xavian Sorey from Georgia during the first transfer portal window. The Razorbacks also signed top-200 prospect Bradley Shaw out of Alabama and a pair of high regarded linebackers in Justin Logan and Wyatt Simmons. Batesville, Miss., native Julius Pope signed with Arkansas during the early signing period as an athlete but could contribute as a linebacker in college.

Sophomore Brad Spence had a solid freshman season making 16 stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pick six in the season opener. With a year under his belt it is possible that he can carve out a role as a potential starter or rotational piece. 

All-Transfer Offensive Line

It's quite possible when the Razorbacks trot out for the season opener that not a single returning starter actually starts against Pine Bluff. Pittman knew he needed to reverse course after his line allowed 47 sacks last season. When Cody Kennedy left for Mississippi State, Pittman went after a familiar name in Eric Mateos, one of the nation's renowned trench gurus in the nation.

The Razorbacks went immediately to work adding Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State), Fernando Carmona (San Jose State) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee). Arkansas will host another transfer on March 8 with former SMU starting center Branson Hickman visiting. The staff may not be done adding portal entrants as the spring transfer window gets underway April 16.

Not all transfers pan out but Pittman and his staff have done a great job of identifying players that can contribute right away. The thought of adding the new guys was challenge returning starters like Andrew Chamblee, E'Marion Harris and Patrick Kutas. The trio were still underclassmen last season while being thrusted into starting roles perhaps too early. 

Quarterback Competition

While Razorbacks fans think they'll see a true quarterback competition during spring football think again. Taylen Green, a Boise State transfer, was handpicked by Bobby Petrino to operate his offense during the fall.

Jacolby Criswell likely gets his shot in order to display his strong arm but the starting spot looks to already be locked up. There's no good reason to bring in another starter to compete if the staff was already comfortable with who they already had in the room. 

Wide Receiver Depth

If Petrino plans to run his system the way he wants then the Hogs are going to need to find more than just one man to be a standout. When he was here the first time, the Natural State produced some of its greatest wideouts ever in Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and tight end Chris Gragg.

This time Petrino has Andrew Armstrong with the drop off production being great after that. Promising pieces like Isaiah Sategna and Isaac TeSlaa are back and signing speedy Jordan Anthony out of the transfer portal from Texas A&M could provide a spark to the room.

Arkansas signed only two receivers during the 2024 recruiting cycle but neither are expected to contribute early. Bentonville native CJ Brown holds solid size at 6-1, 190 pounds. Surprise signee Krosse Johnson out of New Orleans gives the Razorbacks a lot of speed in the slot and potential special teams returner.

HOGS FEED:

MAYBE SOMEONE CAN FINALLY END COURT AND FIELD STORMING

WE'VE SEEN CHANGES COMING LATER THAN THIS FOR RAZORBACK FOOTBALL WITH STAFF, ROSTER

RAZORBACKS ALMOST BLOW FREE PASSES TO WIN OVER MICHIGAN TO WRAP UP ARLINGTON TRIP

HOGS LOSE HEARTBREAKER PITCHER'S DUEL IN 14 INNINGS TO OKLAHOMA STATE

• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook