Sam Pittman details how Arkansas will fix offensive line issues
Sam Pittman is no fool, and he knows the biggest issue to fix for Arkansas this offseason is the offensive line. And the Razorbacks head coach has a simple recipe for how to infuse some talent to the position: Get to work in the transfer portal.
Pittman discussed the shortcomings of the group and how he and his staff will go about improving it shortly before national signing day. He was ultimately unapologetic about what needs to happen.
“Well, you gotta go in the portal. And I look back at Auburn coming in here and I think four of their five was from the portal. And think seven of their top eight players, O linemen, were transfers. There’s an opportunity to do that. We’ve gotta get better with the ones that we have here, as well. But you don’t have to be a football coach to know we need help,” Pittman said.
Arkansas’ offense languished in 2023. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos was fired after a three-point showing less than a year into his tenure and the results weren’t that much better after the staff shakeup. By Pittman’s own analysis, much of what ailed his squad in 2023 can be remedied by some improved play up front on offense.
“So we’ve gotta go address that and that will be our No. 1 place to address because without that, you really can’t have a lot of success, offensively. And with that, you can have a whole bunch of success. But we’ve gotta get it fixed, and that’s nothing negative about the kids we have. We just gotta get that one fixed. I think everybody knows that,” Pittman said.
Pittman and Co. already have some offensive line reinforcements coming
Tennessee offensive line transfer Addison Nichols committed to the Razorbacks, he announced via X on Tuesday. Nichols will be staying inside of the SEC but will now play under Pittman.
The offensive lineman spent just two seasons in Knoxville. He took a redshirt back in 2022 and was thrown into the rotation this past year. Nichols has played in 13 games in his college career but will be looking for more playing time at Arkansas.
Pittman will have options on where exactly Nichols plays. He has experience at guard and also center, being an interior player. A good get for Arkansas as they look to upgrade the offensive line after being shaky this past season.
Nichols played high school football at Norcross (GA) Greater Atlanta Christian School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 166 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.