Sam Pittman shares what he has learned about Arkansas tight ends

The Arkansas tight ends suffered a big blow this offseason when top player Trey Knox opted to transfer from the program, heading to South Carolina.

He finished third on the team in receiving in 2022, logging 26 catches for 296 yards and five touchdowns.

But could the Arkansas tight ends actually be better as a whole in 2023?

“We’ve got five tight ends that we do like, we’re seeing them make plays every day,” coach Sam Pittman said.

Right now it appears that true freshman Luke Hasz will play a whole lot this season. There have been virtually nothing but rave reviews about him all offseason.

But there are other young tight ends that could also get in the mix, too, as well as one or two veterans. It’ll be a young position group, though.

“One that we don’t talk about as much is Francis Sherman,” Pittman said. “We’re awful honored he chose us. He’s doing a nice job out there.”

Sherman is one of two transfers to arrive into the Arkansas tight end room this offseason. He hasn’t historically had much production, with just four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown in three seasons at Louisville.

Another transfer is North Texas‘ Var’keyes Gumms, who has significantly more production. He has racked up 34 catches for 458 yards and five touchdowns, and he was named a Conference USA All-Freshman honoree last season.

Then a handful of other youngsters round out the Arkansas tight end group.

Pittman seems hopeful they can get the job done collectively, even though they’re definitely a bit young and raw as a unit right now.

“Gumms is another one, of course we have Ty Washington who’s done a nice job and Maddox (Lassiter),” Pittman said. “So we’re sitting there. Shamar Easter‘s done a really nice job it’s just he’s not quite there yet. He got here later and didn’t have the spring ball, so obviously it’s hard for a freshman to catch up that fast.”

There’s still a little bit of time for the freshmen to catch up.

Arkansas will open its season on Sept. 2 against Western Carolina, what should be a virtual tune-up. The following week brings Kent State to town before a more anticipated matchup with BYU in Week 3.