Sam Pittman says injuries led to position change for Quincey McAdoo, Sam Mbake

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman made a couple bold but necessary moves this week, plucking two freshmen wide receivers from their position group and moving them to the DBs room. True freshmen Samuel Mbake and Quincey McAdoo both made the switch due to the Hogs’ current injury situation in the secondary.

“It just came up,” Pittman described on Wednesday. “Barry (Odom) was in here and I’m looking at the board and saying ‘You’re not getting this guy back. You’re not getting this guy back. Who’s our next option up there?’ And I mentioned Sam because he had been physical on special teams and he’s got the range and the size and all that. And I said, ‘Well, let’s ask him?’ And we did. We told him he’d be in the two-deep when he ran over and he was.”

Like many skilled wideouts, Mbake also played on the defensive side of the ball in high school. His move triggered another two-way player, McAdoo, to request a switch as well. Both have been special teams contributors thus far.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“(McAdoo) actually came to us,” Pittman said. “Once we moved Mbake, Quincey came to us and said ‘Coach, if you need some help on defense, I’d be more than happy as soon as I get cleared to go to practice and move over.’ … He’s a really good receiver, but he looks great over there.”

McAdoo is still recovering from a hand injury and both youngsters will need more time to get acquainted with the defensive scheme. However, Pittman said he’s used one-on-one time to help.

“I believe after the bye week, I believe that both of them will play football for us,” Pittman concluded. “A significant amount.”

Pittman offers status update on KJ Jefferson, injured DBs

Arkansas had to face No. 16 Mississippi State without star QB KJ Jefferson, ultimately losing 40-17. Jefferson suffered a head injury the weekend prior against Alabama, but has returned to practice this week and will be available for the Razorbacks’ next matchup versus BYU. On Wednesday, Sam Pittman provided an update on how the veteran quarterback has practiced leading up to the Week 7 matchup.

“KJ’s really had a good week,” Pittman said. “He ran the two-minute drill and he did a nice job running the team with that.”

Jefferson has accounted for over half of Arkansas’ total yards and touchdowns this season with his arm and legs, generating 1,408 yards of offense and 13 touchdowns in his five games played.

Reporters also asked Pittman about several defensive backs who sustained injuries in the first half of the season, but he didn’t reveal much. Safeties Khari Johnson and Jayden Johnson left the Mississippi State game and nickel/safety Myles Slusher didn’t travel due to a calf injury.

“I can’t update the secondary until possibly this afternoon,” Pittman said. “As you know, we’ve had three guys who haven’t practiced this week. We’ll see if they can practice today or not, depending on how they feel, or if they practice in a limited situation.”