Sam Pittman details plan for quarterback Malik Hornsby, new expanded role

The Arkansas Razorbacks have an exceptional talent in dual-threat quarterback Malik Hornsby. The sophomore has shown the skills capable of taking over as the Razorbacks’ primary signal caller. But with his size, speed, and athletic ability, Hornsby can be a threat from anywhere on offense. And seeing his sophomore star’s talent, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman detailed his plans for an expanded role in 2022 for Hornsby.

“Well, I’ll tell you this. We are formatting our practice so Malik can do both,” said Pittman. “In the past, we’ve gone ones and freshmen and twos and threes on the opposite field. But this year, we’re going to go ones and twos that way, we can keep Malik on that field; so we can practice him at wide receiver. I’ve told him that we need him on the field.

“Now, he has to earn the right to get on the field, but we need him on the field. I think he’s an excellent football player; so we are going to obviously give him an opportunity to win the job (at quarterback). But at the same time, give him the opportunity to win the wide receiver spot too. We’ve got a plan for it; I hope it works. We feel like it will.”

After red-shirting his freshman year in 2020, Hornsby had brief moments of playing time in 2021 behind the presumed starter for this season KJ Jefferson. Last year he completed five of his 12 passing attempts for 46 yards. Hornsby also recorded 24 rushing attempts for 136 yards and one touchdown. This season Arkansas fans can expect their athletic offensive star to line up all over the field. And it looks like Pittman plans to get Hornsby the ball early and often.

Pittman details how Arkansas could replace Treylon Burks

In 2021, Treylon Burks posted career highs across the board with 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 12 total touchdowns. That production justified the Tennessee Titans trading away No. 1 receiver AJ Brown and replacing him with the 18th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pittman discussed the void Burks left during his press conference at SEC Media Days last week. He says their first wake-up call came as the Hogs battled for the Outback Bowl win over Penn State. Burks skipped the bowl game to prepare for the draft and Arkansas’s passing game struggled.

The Razorbacks skipper believes they’ll need to fill that Burks-shaped gap by committee in 2022. Between a group of transfers, returning players and incoming freshman, he thinks they can accomplish that tall task.

“I think it’s gonna have to be a little bit by committee. Jadon Haselwood transferred over from Oklahoma. Matt Landers is another portal guy. Ketron Jackson’s a guy that’s got to step up. Warren Thompson has to. We’ve got some young guys in Jaedon Wilson and Bryce Stephens. Those are probably our top six (receivers)…I’m not saying one of those guys can’t have a breakout season. (But) I think to replace a Burks, you got to do it with more than one guy.”