Sam Pittman confirms Jordan Anthony will not play Liberty Bowl due to family issues

The Arkansas Razorbacks are going to be shorthanded at wide receiver for the Liberty Bowl with, as head coach Sam Pittman shared, Jordan Anthony set to miss the game due to family issues.

Bowl games have become known for opt outs in recent seasons. However, the majority of those are for players going to the NFL and looking to avoid injury or transferring. This case is unique in that it’s due to an off the field issue that’s requiring the player to spend time with their family to address.

“Jordan Anthony will not [be available],” Sam Pittman said. “He’s got some family issues at home that are very serious that he needs to be home and taking care of that.”

Beyond that family issue that Jordan Anthony is addressing, Sam Pittman did not expand on any details. Instead, he chose to leave them private.

Pittman is currently preparing the Razorbacks for the Liberty Bowl against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are coming off an 8-4 regular season in the Big 12 and won three of their final four games. For Arkansas’ part, it was a 6-6 season in the SEC where they lost three out of four to end the regular season. So, both teams are looking to cap things off on a high note.

Jordan Anthony is both a wide receiver as well as a track star who came to Arkansas as a transfer from Texas A&M. That was back in January of 2024. He previously played for Kentucky. This 2024 season has been by far the most productive season of his career, playing in 12 games and snagging eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He’s also been used on designed runs and to return kicks at times.

Those 111 receiving yards put Jordan Anthony eighth on the team in receiving yards. That mark was also fifth specifically among wide receivers at Arkansas. Andrew Armstrong, by far, led the team in receiving with 78 receptions for 1,140 yards and a touchdown. Three Arkansas wide receivers are already also in the Transfer Portal, including the team’s second leading receiver, Isaiah Sategna. He has since committed to Oklahoma.

On a more positive note, Sam Pittman did share that running back Braylen Russell will be available for the Liberty Bowl.

“We’ve got a running back. Braylen Russell is going to play,” Pittman said. “He’s here, you know. So that’s been back and forth there but we’re glad to have him.”

The Liberty Bowl between Arkansas and Texas Tech is set to be played at 7:00 p.m. EST on December 27th in Memphis, Tennessee.