Why skeptics are wrong about the Hogs in 2023

Isn’t it the same adage every year around here?

“The media gives us no respect!”, you may have heard. Or maybe you’ve heard someone say “This is the year for us.” This upcoming season, some think Arkansas is a sleeper to win the SEC West. Others believe we’d be lucky to squeak out a couple of conference wins.

Among our own circles, nobody bats an eye at positive predictions year in and year out when talking Razorback football. Many fans tend to become confident enough throughout the offseason to express their predictions to other SEC fanbases. It seems that since we had a head coach, whose last name rhymed with Norris, we lost all respect with other fanbases. And not just in the SEC, but around the nation. I guess that’s where back-to-back 2-10 (0-8) seasons will get you.

Since the former was (finally) fired and Sam Pittman was hired, expectations from outside sources have been low. Lower than most Arkansas fans would be able to reasonably stomach. Looking back, this was understandable. Pittman needed some time to essentially bring the program back from the grave, taking over following the worst coaching stint in our football history. Other fanbases and even national media personalities began to look at us like they look at Vanderbilt.

All things considered, the tides have turned. The football program looks completely different now than it did just a few years ago. Pittman’s Razorbacks have posted back-to-back winning seasons accompanied with a pair of bowl victories. Players are starting to get national recognition again. We aren’t projected last in the division. Many fans believe Arkansas will finish higher than 5th in the West, which is how the SEC Media voted. That would put the Hogs finishing around 6-6, give or take a game or two. While there’s nothing wrong with a winning season and a bowl berth, these Hogs are hungry for much more.

Let’s take a look at some of the keys to this football team silencing doubters and finishing near the top of the SEC West rather than near the bottom.

Defensive Line Depth

Having a strong, deep defensive line group is one of the most essential ingredients in building a championship-caliber roster. This doesn’t mean just having three or four studs on the line to start for your defense. It means having an entire unit of guys that you can mix and match and, by and large, experience little drop-off in execution.

Returners:

Landon Jackson

Zach Williams

Jashaud Stewart

Taurean Carter

Cameron Ball

Eric Gregory

Marcus Miller

Nico Davillier

Transfer Portal Additions:

Trajan Jeffcoat (Missouri)

Anthony Booker (Maryland)

John Morgan III (Pitt)

Keivie Rose (Louisiana Tech)

Quite the group, isn’t it?  “I think we’re three-deep on each side at defensive end and I think we’re at least five inside.” Pittman says. The above list isn’t taking into account any of the freshmen brought in or any players that redshirted last season. The defensive line is possibly the strongest position group on the team this season. Led by position coach Deke Adams, it looks like the Hogs will be at least three-deep going into the season. What is there not to admire about this group of players?

Expect to see Landon Jackson and Zach Williams tear it up on the edge. After watching film on the transfer portal guys, I expect the four of them to contribute. This is especially true for John Morgan III out of Pittsburgh. Taurean Carter missed last season with an injury and is going to be a problem for opposing guards. Cameron Ball, Eric Gregory, and Jashaud Stewart are guys that have proven they can play at a high level in the SEC. Marcus Miller is a senior who provides valuable depth at defensive tackle. Nico Davillier was a true freshman last year who showed some sparks of promise.

Upon the solidity of this group, first-year defensive coordinator Travis Williams will be able to facilitate the team’s transition into a 4-2-5 base defense. While strength and depth on the defensive line is crucial, it’s far from the only thing you need to win in this league.

KJ Jefferson, Rocket Sanders, & Co.

Offensive firepower is another tremendously important part of an SEC contender. It helps your case when you’ve got what some consider to be the best backfield duo in the nation. KJ Jefferson and Raheim “Rocket” Sanders are two of the most dynamic playmakers in college football. I’ve heard both of their names brought up in relation to Heisman hype this offseason. Keeping them both healthy is crucial to Razorback success in 2023-24.

After throwing for 2,648 yards in 2022 with a nearly 5:1 touchdown to interception ratio, Jefferson is going to be looking to cement himself into the Arkansas record books across numerous categories in his senior campaign. Rocket Sanders rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry in 2022. Numbers like that from a sophomore that originally committed to the Hogs as a wide receiver are incredibly impressive. Everybody around the state (and most around the country) know these two are going to perform this season. Opposing fanbases may not want to admit it, but they aren’t looking forward to being pitted against this backfield.

The strength of the Hog offense doesn’t end there, however. Dominique Johnson, AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion, and freshman Isaiah Augustave rotate behind Sanders to round out associate head coach Jimmy Smith’s running back group. This collection of backs is special, and reminds me of the Davis/Wingo/Johnson/Green group from the 2011 season. Dominique Johnson struggled with injuries last season, but is reportedly healthy now according to Coach Pittman. Rashod Dubinion was a freshman that could have a breakout sophomore year as a rotational back. Expect to see a lot of AJ Green as well this season. Isaiah Augustave will have to work his way into the rotation given all of these established backs, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up getting his share of carries this season.

After losing Trey Knox to the transfer portal, the tight end position was a question mark earlier in the offseason. Nathan Bax returns, and Ty Washington is coming off of a redshirt last season. With the addition of former Stanford tight ends coach Morgan Turner, Pittman was looking to add a transfer in the offseason. Hog fans should get acquainted with Var’Keyes Gumms, a sophomore who transferred in from North Texas. As a redshirt freshman for the Mean Green, Gumms broke both the single season reception and yardage records for a tight end at North Texas. More likely than not, he will be the starter on September 2.

At wide receiver, the loss of Matt Landers and Jadon Haselwood left the staff with pretty big holes to fill. Those two accounted for the majority of our receiving production last season. What’s the good of having an elite senior QB if you’re limited on playmakers for him to get the ball to? Returners are young players at this position, but I wouldn’t count them out. Isaiah Satenga is speedy and should start in the slot. Pittman and his staff ushered in three bigtime transfers at wideout this offseason. All three are taller receivers, with Tyrone Broden standing at 6’7″. Expect the trio of Tyrone Broden, Isaac TeSlaa, and Andrew Armstrong to become potent weapons at offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ disposal in his first year back with the Razorbacks.

On a side note, I was shocked to see that Cam Little did not make any of the preseason All-SEC teams at SEC Media Days. His presence on this football team is huge, as he is an accurate kicker with plenty of leg strength; which is very key in coming out on top of close games. In 2022, Little was 13/16 on field goals and did not miss a single extra point. Being able to rely on Little will probably win Arkansas a game or two this season.

While it is clear that KJ and Rocket are going to lead the offense, they aren’t alone. This Hog offense has plenty of weapons and an expert play-caller in Dan Enos. Our team should not struggle with putting points up this season. Opposing defenses will struggle to contain the Arkansas run game while having to keep KJ Jefferson and the receivers in check. This may end up being the best offense Arkansas football has seen in quite some time when it’s all said and done.

Looking ahead…

It is never easy as far as scheduling goes in this league. This season will be no different, as the Hogs are facing a pretty brutal schedule. Maybe that’s why many outlets are placing Arkansas near the bottom of the division. We don’t get the benefit of the doubt like other teams facing similar schedules. Will that give us the privilege of being underrated and overlooked? Likely not. Coaches around the conference know Arkansas is not a team to look over or take lightly this season. With an elite backfield, deep defensive line, and a revamped defensive scheme, I expect the Razorbacks to win at least 8 games.

September 16 to October 14 is going to be brutal. Arkansas will not play a home game during this stretch, and will face LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Alabama. Beating Missouri and Auburn is a must for this team. Luckily those games will be played at home. That being said, I think the Hogs have the perfect opportunity to shake things up in the conference this year. Only one thing is for certain; the SEC West is stacked and should be an exciting division to follow in 2023-24. If I was betting, I’d put my money on the Hogs finishing higher than fifth in the division.