Clearly Luke Hasz Has Gotten Coaches' Attention

Freshman tight end will play a lot because of work ethic Sam Pittman has seen

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Aug 31, 2023 2:49 AM EDT
Original:
Aug 30, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If there any doubters left about what Arkansas coach Sam Pittman thinks of freshman tight end Luke Hasz, that should have been removed Wednesday afternoon at the final media briefing of the week.

"He's going to be a much better player in two or three years than he is right now, but he's a fine player now," Pittman said.

You'll never hear the Razorbacks' coach throw players under bus. That's not his style. Neither is the normal positives we hear about the newcomers.

"Ever since [Hasz] came in here he has worked his tail off," Pittman said. "He's a little older. He's strong. Can really run, and he's go wonderful hands. He can catch everything, you guys have seen him in practice. He can catch everything. As a freshman you have to bring in that kind of mentality, that work mentality and that physical play."

Hasz is clearly the best-looking tight end to come into town with the Hogs since Hunter Henry was a freshman in 2013. This isn't going to be a debate or comparison between the two as Henry is catching passes right now in the NFL.

Maybe the best part came on what Pittman said about him after all of the superlatives. It's probably a little early to start making predictions about what his future holds because he's still got to do it on the field. Talk is cheap.

"What keeps freshmen off the field is not knowing what they're doing or not being physically able to do it or the development is not quite there as fast," Pittman said. "His has been ever since he's been here. Really excited to see what he can bring to us. Maybe an extra dimension we possibly haven't had in the past."

That may be the best news of all. There hasn't been a lot heard from the tight end position since Henry left, but for the last few years that hasn't been a position used on a very frequent basis.