Report: Arkansas OL Andrew Chamblee no longer with football team

Arkansas redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Chamblee is no longer with the team, per Trey Biddy. Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman claims Chamblee has “lost the love for the game.”

Chamblee will reportedly not enter the transfer portal and will instead continue his time as a student at Arkansas. Chamblee made 12 appearances for the Razorbacks in the 2023 campaign, notching eight starts. Arkansas’ front five allowed 47 sacks last season, the fifth-most in the country.

Chamblee is still only 19 years old. For his efforts last season, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team. He was the first Arkansas player to earn that honor as an offensive lineman since Brady Latham in 2020.

Andrew Chamblee played high school football at Maumelle (AR), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 336 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Arkansas added four offensive linemen in the NCAA Transfer Portal, including former Tennessee IOL Addison Nichols. Patrick Kutas is the lone starter from the Arkansas offensive line who will be back in 2024.

Arkansas finds new leader for offensive line

Arkansas has a fresh face leading the line, as well. In December, the program hired Eric Mateos to be the team’s next offensive line coach. Mateos replaced Cody Kennedy, who joined new Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby.

Mateos carries an impressive resumé. He joined joined the Baylor football staff in January 2021. While there, Mateos was to the Dave Campbell Texas Football’s prestigious 40 under 40 list, honoring the top assistant coaches in the state of Texas that are under 40 years of age. 

Despite Mateos’ accomplishments, Baylor’s offensive line sputtered this season. The front five allowed 34 sacks, ranking No. 107 in the country. Baylor’s slow season upfront is an oddity.

In 2022, Mateos boosted the Bears to a rushing attack that rolled to 182.4 yards per game and 2,371 total rushing yards, including 34 rushing TDs, which ranked seventh-most in program history. The Bears also totaled 5,380 total offensive yards, the 10^th-best total in school history.

In his debut season with the program, Mateos paved the way for the Big 12’s best rushing attack, which averaged 219.3 yards per game for the 10th-best mark nationally. Mateos is no stranger to Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman. Mateos worked under Pittman at Arkansas from 2013-15.