Sam Pittman details offensive line battles, left tackle position

The Arkansas offensive line had several position battles going this spring but none more consequential than the one at left tackle.

Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman is trying to replace Myron Cunningham who is now a rookie with the Houston Texans. After working several players in at left tackle this spring, Pittman is confident that the position will be solid, but he and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles are still working on finding the perfect rotation.

“Part of it is, I don’t feel like we won’t be good at that spot,” Pittman said after the spring. “You go, is this hurting us? Is this the best look, is this how we get the most yardage with these five guys in these positions. We’ve tried a lot of different people.”

Arkansas searches for best five on OL

The leading candidate to take over for Cunningham is Luke Jones, a 6-foot-5, 327-pound, fifth-year senior who transferred from Notre Dame two years ago. Fourth-year junior Brady Latham could also play the position, however, he’s a starting guard and a key piece to the offensive line already where he is. The Hogs are also exploring redshirt freshman Devon Manuel, true freshman Andrew Chamblee and backup right tackle Ty’Kieast Crawford.

Crawford, coming in at 6-foot-5, arrived last year after transferring from Charlotte and contributed little but is much more likely to play a significant role in 2022.

“We know Brady can play anything,” Pittman said. “It’s like Ty Clary last year. Luke, Devon Manuel, I keep thinking he’s going to come on and help us there. We have four or five guys over there. Luke, definitely, has been the most consistent.”

Kendal Briles believes Jones could have a challenger in Crawford, however, he’s currently needed at right tackle as starter Dalton Wagner continues to bounce back from injury.

“Ty’Kieast would be the one that could really challenge (Jones) at this point,” Briles said. “But where our needs are, those guys on different sides right now.”

The Arkansas Razorbacks open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 with a marquee game versus the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Hogs went 9-4 last season and recently extended Sam Pittman’s contract through at least 2026.