Razorbacks' tight end Luke Hasz may be key to different look for offense under Dan Enos this year. — (Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images)

How a Freshman Tight End Could Be Clue to Hogs' Offense

Luke Hasz not a prototype tight end, but could be what Dan Enos needs for new look.

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Apr 4, 2023 4:34 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — You can often get a clue what is team is going to do by where they line up a "tight end."

That goes in quotes at times because for about the last 40 years or so, former Arkansas assistant Joe Gibbs introduced the world to the H-back position, utilizing an extra running back to help against New York Giants' end Lawrence Taylor.

All that led to was a couple of Super Bowl titles for the Washington Redskins.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman kinda stomped all around where freshman Luke Hasz will be playing, probably because they really haven't figured it out completely.

The goal may be more of what Hunter Henry did in his three seasons with the Hogs before going to the NFL.

He doesn't have to be a great blocker, which Pittman pointed out a couple of times the true freshman out of Oklahoma isn't. Looking at Hasz in practice, he doesn't have the frame for that big, burly guy that is more of a sixth offensive lineman.

Instead, this new offense with Dan Enos in charge may have more of a pro-style look. Quarterback KJ Jefferson may be taking some snaps from under center, which we haven't seen in several years on a regular basis.

You don't have to have that prototypical look to be effective.

One of the advantages of being around several years is you've seen a lot. Gibbs didn't have a big guy to put in, but coaches aren't asking an H-back to be a pancake blocker, but help on a pass rusher and catch passes.

Norv Turner really showed how that work with Jay Novacek and renaming the position as an F-back, but it was for an effective pass catcher that could also help Emmitt Smith run along with fullback Daryl Johnston.

The Hogs really don't have a fullback on the roster. That wasn't really much of a factor in former offensive coordinator's Kendall Briles' schemes.

It does help a couple of talented running backs and give Jefferson a bail-out target on passes.

Nobody has said that's the plan with Hasz and this Hogs' offense. We honestly haven't really seen enough to know what questions there are, much less any idea of the answers.

One question we do know hanging out there is a true No. 1 receiver hasn't shown up yet for the offense and, as a group overall, they aren't really that fast.

Going to that H-back look is something Pittman has talked about. He's said Hasz doesn't block well enough to be an inline tight end but is making plays when he catches the ball.

That means they are going to work with him off the line.

Which is sorta what an H-back does.

Along with winning, which is the ultimate goal, of course.