KJ Jefferson offers insight on how Warren Thompson has handled setbacks

Arkansas had high hopes for wide receiver Warren Thompson heading into the season, as he was their leading returning receiver headed into the year poised for an even bigger role. Unfortunately, injuries and off-the-field incidents have gotten in the way of his production this season, but his quarterback KJ Jefferson believes that a turnaround is on the horizon for his teammate.

“I do think he’s in a great spot to finish the season strong, and mentally he’s still been the same guy,” Jefferson said. “Dealing with the issues he’s been dealing with he’s still been the same guy, he’s still been coming in, talking, encouraging guys on the sideline, I mean he’s still being a great teammate and a great leader for that receiver room.”

Thompson was suspended for the first half of Arkansas’ last game versus BYU for undisclosed, internal issues according head coach Sam Pittman, but has also missed some time battling an injury all season long. Thompson missed two games this season when the Razorbacks took on Alabama and Mississippi State, but Jefferson says he is fully healthy and improving day in and day out.

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“There’s been no slack from Warren, he’s came in since his issues, he’s healthy now so he’s playing faster, he’s learning the offense still, he’s learning each and every day, different ways on releasing and creating separation and stuff,” Jefferson said.

Thompson is currently the Razorbacks’ sixth-leading receiver despite his limitations this season, recording nine catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Wideouts like Jadon Haselwood and Matt Landers have picked up the slack and established themselves as viable options in the passing game, but a fully healthy and available Thompson would surely add even more firepower to Arkansas passing game.

“He’s still just been Warren, he’s still being himself so it’s great just seeing him doing what he do,” Jefferson said.

Sam Pittman explains the value of getting a mental break during bye week

Bye weeks are commonly seen as a great physical break for players, but Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman recently spoke about the mental break they provide for players and coaches alike. The Razorbacks just finished their own bye week, and could definitely use it mentally after their rollercoaster first half of the season. Arkansas started the season 3-0, then lost their next three games in a row putting them at 3-3, and secured a win over BYU right before their bye week to put them a game above .500.

“I think rest a lot of times puts things in perspective, you’re not running running running, you’re looking at okay here’s where we are, this is what we’ve done, this is where we can get to,” Pittman said.

Mental rest is important to take advantage of for athletes whenever they can get it, but Pittman wanted to make sure his players didn’t get too much, as their next opponent in Auburn is also coming off of a bye week of their own.

“We tried not to rest them mentally as far as prep, mental prep, film, walks, things of that nature for Auburn, but obviously when your body slows down your mind does too,” Pittman said.

It sounds like the Razorbacks found a healthy balance of rest and preparation during their bye week, and hopefully it pays off for them, as they try to turn around their 1-3 conference starting this Saturday on the road against the Tigers.

“So hopefully, we’ve got the perfect remedy for the guys to kind of go down a little bit, relax a little bit because we know we have a hard five-game stretch coming up,” Pittman said.