Sam Pittman praises Jadon Haselwood when assessing Arkansas receivers

The loss of Treylon Burks was supposed to have a major impact on the Arkansas offense. Losing a Top-20 NFL Draft pick left the cupboard momentarily bare for Sam Pittman and KJ Jefferson. The addition of Jadon Haselwood, though, is starting to pay dividends for the Razorbacks.

After Arkansas’ first fall scrimmage, Pittman spoke highly of Haselwood and the transitions he’s made from Norman to Fayetteville. He says whatever Haselwood is doing is working because he sees a completely new player from who he saw in the spring.

“Haselwood didn’t bring to that room in the spring what he’s bringing into it now,” said Pittman. “Part of that I’m sure was he was uncomfortable or he doesn’t know the guys.”

Haselwood was the No. 1 WR and the No. 3 player overall in On3’s 2019 Consensus Top Football Recruits. Over three seasons at Oklahoma, Haselwood produced 62 catches for 736 yards and seven touchdowns. A majority of that production came last season where he was the Sooner’s leader in receptions and touchdowns.

Lincoln Riley’s exit with Caleb Williams to Los Angeles led Haselwood out the door as well. Rather than follow his former offense, though, he found himself committing to Sam Pittman’s program. With his production in fall camp alongside the other Razorback receivers, Pittman believes what he first thought would be a weakness will now be a strength.

“That unit has went in the first eight practices from ‘we’ve got a concern’ to ‘somebody else has got a concern’ about our guys. (I’m) really pleased,” said Pittman.

Haselwood will slot in nicely to Burks’ old spot as WR1 for Jefferson. If he can produce a similar year at Arkansas, he may have his chance at becoming a first-round talent in drafts to come. All of that is right around the corner for Haselwood with the Razorback’s opener against Cincinnati a little over two weeks away.