On Wednesday, Arkansas HC Sam Pittman spoke to the press at SEC Media Days. Arkansas is coming off a 9-4 season last year, and many Hog fans are excited about the upcoming season. Here are some key takeaways from Pittman’s time at the podium.
Sam Pittman on replacing WR Treylon Burks:
“I don’t know if you replace a guy (Burks) one-for one. I don’t think you can. We’re going to have to do it by committee. I like a couple of the guys we’ve gotten in the portal in Matt Landers and Jaden Hazelwood. I think Ketron Jackson is gonna have his best year. I think he’s ready to go. I think Warren Thompson is ready to go. Bryce Stephens has improved. You know I like who we signed out of the freshman class. It’s still yet to be determined whether they can help us or not.”
On being part of one of the best athletic departments:
“Well, we got to get better. Everyone is doing so much more than we are. So we have to get better. Seriously, it’s unbelievable. When the basketball team goes to the Elite Eight, Dave [Arkansas Baseball HC] and them go to the World Series, when Courtney [Arkansas Softball HC] and them win the SEC, and it can go on and on. …….. You have to look at those individual coaches and you certainly have to look at Hunter Yuracheck in their staff. But it’s a great time to be a Hog.”
On whether Arkansas has arrived:
“No. Arkansas is just trying to compete, we’re trying to get better, we’re trying to fight hard, we’re trying to work hard. We’re the underdog. We like it that way…… We will compete. Roll that out there and let’s play ball. But, no no no, not that.”
Do you want Oklahoma and Texas as Rivals?
“It was fun playing Texas last year. Obviously it was one year and we had a nice game against them. I have a lot of respect for Coach Sark and the Longhorns. Oklahoma would be another rival that would be pretty cool. If we could play Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri that would be pretty neat.”
Do you like the numbers and talent on the Defensive Line?
“We obviously need pass rushers. I love the numbers to be honest with you. We have 20 counting walk-ons. But we need some elite pass rushers and we went and got Landon Jackson there. Obviously Jack Williams is a returner and Jashuad Stewart is a returner. Eric Gregory can do either or. We signed Jordan Domonique. So we think we can get to the quarterback a little bit more, and we also feel a little better with our corner situation where we can play a little man coverage….. I feel a lot better. …….. I think we’ll be much better on the defensive line than a year ago.”
