Pittman has been the true “Portal King”

It’s been said that Lane Kiffin is the so-called portal king when it comes to college football. But, let me tell you that Sam Pittman is actually the man that deserves that title.

Since arriving at Arkansas in 2019

Pittman was tasked with a major overhaul. A program that was 8-28 over the three seasons prior to his arrival. Pittman knew he needed some veteran players combined with some of his returnees and incoming freshmen. So, with lessons learned from basketball head coach, Eric Musselman, Pittman was able to assemble a formidable roster capable of winning in the SEC.

Look back at the 2020 season, would it had been a success if they didn’t bring in QB Feleipe Franks? The former Florida Gator was having a tremendous 2019 season before being sidelined with a lower leg injury. Arkansas was gifted a quarterback with conference experience and a vocal leader in the locker room. Players fought for him at Florida and they did the same thing at Arkansas. His teammates responded so quickly as to naming him a team captain before the season.

A transfer led the team in rushing and another finished tied for second for sacks. Although the transfer class was a small one in year one, Pittman still padded depth to a roster that reminded folks of one mired in the death penalty.

Transfer Trends

Arkansas would once again attack the transfer portal during the 2021 offseason while selling an impending turnaround of the football program. They had won 3 conference games the year prior. More than the Razorback had won since 2016. They would bring in quite a few transfers that played valuable roles on the roster. That included Tre Williams, Markell Utsey and John Ridgeway along the defensive line. Their third leading receiver, Warren Thompson was a valuable addition, too.

Then, when examining the 2022 portal haul and see guys like Dwight McGlothern, Drew Sanders, Matt Landers, Jadon Haselwood, Latavious Brini, Jordan Domineck and Terry Hampton it was easy to see that Pittman’s vision was being bought into.

No, the 2022 season didn’t go as planned due to a rash of season ending injuries. But, that team inspired hope for the future. Some of the key pieces from last season’s portal haul are back and many more transfers, 18 to be exact, are looking to crack the rotation this fall.

Roles, support and playing time

Not all of them will be day one starters. A few of them will be those rotational pieces while others will provide Arkansas with added quality depth in case things do go bad. It’s always better to be prepared when things like that happen anyway.

Why is Pittman becoming the portal king? Because he is identifying the talented players in the portal. All while developing them into NFL prospects and helping them to professional careers.

Pittman is giving these guys fresh starts at a place they can prove themselves and flourish in a system that matches their attributes. The 2023 portal haul currently ranks 11th in the country and fourth in the SEC with 18 commitments. The class is headlined by CB Jaheim Singletary, DT Anthony Booker and WR Tyrone Broden. There’s also 8 transfers that will play for the Razorbacks next season that ranked in the top 250 in the portal, according to 247sports.

Will the largest transfer haul in program history benefit the Razorback football team this fall? If recent success is indicative then fielding a winning team you best bet your best that it’ll be built with transfers as long as the Hogs are coached by Pittman.