Sam Pittman discusses Trey Knox's progression during switch to tight end

Arkansas pass catcher Trey Knox is switching positions in the Razorback offense. After lining up at wide receiver during his first three years in Fayetteville, the 6-foot-5 Knox is switching to tight end, where his larger frame ought to be better suited. A move head coach Sam Pittman is excited about.

Out of high school, Knox was a lanky four-star wide receiver ranked in the top 300 by most recruiting services. That pedigree proved appropriate in his rookie year with the Razorbacks. In 2019, his freshman year, Arkansas floundered, finishing 2-10 while firing their coach afterwards. But Knox was a bright spot. The true freshman wideout recorded 385 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

A very promising season. However, Knox failed to follow up that season with another like it. He caught just seven passes in the COVID-maligned 2020 season, then went for 141 years total last year. Just hasn’t had the same level of production he did as a freshman since Sam Pittman took over.

So now Trey Knox is trying out tight end. He’s adding weight, improving as a blocker and learning the position this fall before giving it a go in-game this year as a senior. Pittman had mostly good to say about Knox’s transition when asked about it recently.

“I think Trey gives us everything we would like to have in that tight end position,” said Pittman. “And he’s working his way, trying to get in shape. And as you know, he had a back that was stiff on him and things of that nature.”

Pittman went on to praise Knox’s attitude towards blocking, and added that he thinks he’ll become a good tight end.

“But he’s always been a willing blocker. He hadn’t always been a great one, and now, with his body, that he is. And working full time at tight end instead of moving him from wideout to tight end has really helped him. I think he’ll have some type of a career playing tight end. I really do, I think he’s a great player.