Sam Pittman updates where Arkansas quarterback battle stands

One of the biggest challenges this offseason for head coach Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks was finding a replacement for KJ Jefferson at quarterback.

Recently, when asked about where the quarterback battle stands during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show, Pittman made it clear that he has full confidence in Taylen Green.

“You know, Taylen Green is a leading son of a gun,” Sam Pittman said. “He just is. He’s very, very talented, but a great player makes people around them better, and that’s something that he has. Wonderful parents, and I think that’s probably the reason why he’s such a great kid. Very, very fast, but he can really throw the football. Really had a good spring game. Our line improved in their protection, drastically from a year ago.”

Taylen Green is a transfer coming into Arkansas from Boise State. He was with the Broncos for three years, redshirting in 2021 before playing 26 games over the last two seasons. During that time, he completed 59.4 percent of passes for 3,794 yards and 25 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,026 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Despite Green appearing to be the top quarterback on the roster, Sam Pittman did emphasize that there’s still a battle to become the team’s second quarterback.

“But there will be a battle for number two,” Pittman said. “But we feel real strong about our quarterback room and, of course, the coach with Bobby [Petrino] coaching them and they’re continuing to get better all the time.”

Arkansas currently lists four quarterbacks on its roster. With Taylen Green currently the top choice, that leaves Malachi Singleton, KJ Jackson, and Austin Ledbetter competing to be the backup in 2024. It’s a relatively young room and Ledbetter also plays baseball for the Razorbacks. Jackson is a true freshman to the team and Singleton has been projected by many to have the inside track to being the team’s number two quarterback.

Sam Pittman addresses decision to move 2024 season opener to Thursday

The season opener for Arkansas is going to be on a Thursday night this season, a decision that Sam Pittman recently addressed.

“You look at a few things when you go to Little Rock and No. 1 you really don’t want to take away from great football. So you don’t to take away from the Friday nights… if you play in September then what time do you want to play the game? So everybody in Little Rock probably wants to play the game at night because it’s so dang hot. Well, if you play at night, then [if it’s not] a home game, we get home at 3:00 in the morning. It’s always early in the year. No.1, it’s a night game. So folks will be able to tailgate, and it won’t be as hot; it won’t be as hot on our guys. And you gain two days on your next opponent,” Pittman said.

“I believe that was the best decision and really the only decision we could make other than saying; we’re going to go over there and play at night on our first game. That just didn’t give us any type of advantage at all. And I believe that will get people to come out and see us on the Thursday night over there.”