Sam Pittman discusses how Arkansas has built roster to compete in SEC

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman has made it pretty clear how he is going to rebuild his roster — by adding size at every single position. Taking over the program from Chad Morris, Pittman, a former offensive line coach, wants to build a big, strong team to compete within the SEC.

Pittman was asked about the progress he thinks Arkansas is making on adding that size heading into his third year in Fayetteville. He started on the offensive side of the ball, going position by position and naming places where he thinks they are doing a good job. He even mentioned how KJ Jefferson may be the biggest quarterback in the conference.

“We’ve been pretty good on offensive line as far as getting some size,” Pittman said. “The backs that we have seem to be a pretty good size. Our quarterback, probably the biggest one in the SEC. I like long receivers. You look out there with two in Warren (Thompson) and (Jadon) Haselwood. Maalik, when he’s out there, there’s been some big, tall receivers.

Pittman then moved over to the defensive, specifically talking about two players they got through the transfer portal. Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Drew Sanders and LSU Tigers edge rusher Landon Jackson were highlighted by the head coach as good additions that bring size.

“We went into the portal and we tried to build in that aspect as well. You know, Drew Sanders is a big linebacker and Landon Jackson, even though I don’t know if y’all have been able to see him but he’s a big man too as a defensive end. (Latavious) Brini is a big nickel, big safety.”

From there, Pittman gave an overall summary of how the roster is coming along, saying they are getting “closer.” He even mentioned two places he wants to get better via the transfer portal after spring practice ends.

“So, we’re getting closer. We’re not there right now but you can go out there and recruit big and fast just like you can small and fast. They’re just harder to get. Right now, I feel like we’ve done — not me. I feel like we have done a good job in the portal too to this point. I think we hit on our portal kids. We’ve got a couple of interior defensive linemen and a wideout that we need to help the team somehow.”

The 2021 season saw Pittman passing expectations, winning nine games, and seeing Arkansas win a bowl game for the first time since 2015. Now, with another season under his belt, the head coach will be looking to start competing at the top of the SEC West.