Sam Pittman addresses chance KJ Jefferson returns for 2024 season

Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks are at a critical juncture in their relationship together. The university has not said anything about Pittman’s future, but many believe he is on the coaching hot seat. Now, things could get even murkier for Arkansas with the impending decision of star quarterback KJ Jefferson.

Before the start of the season, it was nearly a foregone conclusion that Jefferson would head the NFL after this year. However, he still has one more year of eligibility because of the COVID plus-one. And given how poorly Arkansas’ season has gone, the possibility of remaining in college one more season might appeal to the redshirt senior quarterback.

As Arkansas prepares for their upcoming contest against FIU, Pittman addresses the chances of Jefferson returning for the 2024 season.

“We haven’t spoken about that with him,” said Pittman. “I think, going into the season, we thought, definitely, this would be his last year. But I don’t know where he stands right now. And again, the portal doesn’t open up for a week after our game or whatever it is. So, we’ll have plenty of time to sit down and talk about it.”

Pittman evaluates Arkansas offense under Kenny Guiton

When Arkansas fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos and lifted assistant Kenny Guiton into the role a couple weeks ago, things got off to a pretty rosy start.

Arkansas won its first game and did so with a strong offensive showing, beating Florida 39-36 while racking up a well-balanced 481 yards worth of offense. Things didn’t go so well the following week.

Against Auburn on Saturday, Arkansas was stumped.

“Well as a coordinator you can only call certain plays now, and people got to block it and execute it and this that and the other,” coach Sam Pittman said. “Obviously we thought it went well in practice and things of that nature.”

The Hogs finished with just 10 points and 255 total yards of offense against the Tigers, never really having a prayer in the game.

It’s hard to see Arkansas winning many more games if the offense can’t coax out a bit more production. If ever a chance to get things on track, this weekend’s game against FIU is about as good a bet as they come.

Pittman remains confident in his decision to make Kenny Guiton the coordinator.

“We’re still evaluating Kenny. I’m not going to let one game where we didn’t have any success in reality change any of that,” he said. “It’s not time really to make that decision, to me. I’m not disappointed in him by any stretch of the imagination. He worked his tail off and he’s come in and done a really good job.”