Arkansas Football: Pittman believe he has a “dang strong team”

Following a letdown in 2023, Sam Pittman believes the Arkansas Football roster is a good one.

Of course, the Razorbacks have quite a few of the best players in the country. That includes having the best quarterback-running back duo in college football. Don’t forget about Chris Paul at linebacker either. Despite his role as a backup a season ago, he still recorded 62 tackles. That was good enough for fifth on the team a season ago. Paul is certainly poised to take the next great Arkansas linebacker.

This year they’re replacing two of their more productive receivers, top safeties and starting tight end. In return they bring in 19 transfers and add 21 true freshmen to go along with a solid nucleus of returnees.

It is a much different roster. One that has nearly been flipped to help keep Arkansas‘ football trajectory on track from a 9-win season in 2021.

Sam Pittman on SEC Network: "You don't always have to have the best players, you just have to have the best damn team. There's a difference in that, in my opinion. Right now, we're pretty dang strong as a football team." #WPS

— Keith Farner (@keithfarner) July 19, 2023

Pittman believes he has a team that can compete in 2023.

Offense style change

They have become more physical in the receivers they have brought in. Isaac TeSlaa and Andrew Armstrong have come in and shown themselves to be possession receivers during the spring. Tyrone Broden is likely the tallest receiver in football and displays exceptional speed to burn secondaries.

New offensive coordinator Dan Enos is a methodical play caller and is said to be ‘the best play caller I’ve ever worked with’ by Pittman. In the past the former Arkansas OC produced one of the programs best offensive outputs from a yards perspective back in 2015.

Looking at the defensive side of things there is plenty of work to be done. However, new defensive coordinator Travis Williams brings an attacking mindset. With the depth along the line and seeing them record 42 sacks in 2022 there is plenty of promise there to see Arkansas either match that number or exceed it this fall.

Eyes are on the secondary

Dwight McGlothern returns after an all-SEC performance last season. He was graded by Pro Football Focus as the second best returning CB in the SEC. LaDarrius Bishop is also back following an ankle injury that sidelined him for the majority of last season. Additions of Lorando Johnson and Alfhayim Walcott from Baylor are huge pieces to turning the position group around. Key transfer Jaheim Singletary from Georgia is poised to become a playmaker this fall. The former five-star, top 20 recruit from the 2022 class makes his way to Fayetteville hoping to find a role in the secondary.

If anything, Pittman and his staff have upgraded the talent level two or three fold since the end of last season. Will that mean anything for the win total? Plus, will the team mesh early enough to generate a special season on The Hill?