Pittman's Santa Wishlist Provides What He Needs for 2024

Razorbacks' coach continues recruiting transfer portal for impact players really needed

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Dec 25, 2023 6:52 AM EST
Original:
Dec 24, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is still monitoring the portal for certain transfers that not only fit his culture but will shore up team needs going into the new year. As we pointed out this week, everybody will have to hold off making judgements on how they work out.

Running Back

The Razorbacks struggled in the running game last year but that shouldn't be totally on the tailbacks in the room. Raheim Sanders (South Carolina) and AJ Green (uncommitted) have left for greener pastures. Their departures leave the Hogs with exceptional talent but limited depth moving forward.

Rashod Dubinion has been a quality piece over his first two seasons in Fayetteville. He's carried the ball 153 times for 553 yards and six touchdowns the past two years. Down the stretch, Arkansas allowed Isaiah Augustave the lions share of the totes with 35 carries for 202 yards and one touchdown on the season.

Pittman indicated in his signing day presser that he's interested in bringing in one other running back out of the portal to go along with who he has in the room. The Razorbacks return veteran Dominique Johnson for another season. They also signed Benton's bruising tailback Braylen Russell, the top player at his position in the state.

George Pettaway, a former top 100 player in the 2022 class, signed with North Carolina out of high school over offers from Penn State, Michigan, Florida, Alabama, Auburn and 20 other offers. The Suffolk, Va., native has exceptional burst once past blocks with good burners. There is a possibility Arkansas gets him on campus in January.

J'Marion Burnette, a highly decorated runner out of Alabama, will visit the Razorbacks in January. He's amassed nearly 4500 yards and 39 touchdowns during his high school career. The former Auburn commitment is ranked as a 4-star, the No. 18 ranked prospect, per 247sports.

Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders take a peek into the Missouri State backfield.

Defensive Back

It is probably easier to cast a full net here than two separate positions. Pittman also shared his desire to bring in a pair of talented defensive backs. His idea is to bring in one cornerback and one safety to increase depth following the losses of Dwight McGlothern and Alfahiym Walcott, two valued starters.

At least one portal prospect known to be a possible visitor in January is Florida safety Miguel Mitchell. He signed with the Gators over offers from Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Northwestern, Memphis, LSU, USC, Tennessee and Oregon. The true sophomore started eight games this seasons recording 37 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and an interception.

The Razorbacks have already picked up former Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter prior to Early National Signing Day. His defensive back teammate Wesley Walker recently entered the transfer portal. He was a high 3-star defender in high school before signing with Georgia Tech out of high school over offers from the likes of LSU, Kentucky and Louisville during the 2019 recruiting cycle. He spent the past two seasons with the Volunteers recording 89 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception.

Linebacker

This is a position Arkansas lost a trio of players to the portal following the season. Chris Paul left Arkansas for Ole Miss, Jordan Crook signed with Arizona State and Mani Powell were all solid pieces to a good crop. The Razorbacks hope to land Bradley Shaw, a Hoover, Alabama native and 4-star linebacker, on January 6 at the All-American Game if he so chooses to commit then.

Shaw is reportedly down to the Razorbacks and Clemson as to where he'll play his college ball. He is ranked as the No. 101 player in his class and No. 8 linebacker overall, according to 247sports.

A dream scenario for the portal since Pittman wants to add another linebacker would be Xe'ree Alexander out of Idaho. The FCS Freshman All-American earned honors for a season that saw him lead the Vandals in tackles with 60 while adding four tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He's picked up a few notable offers recently from Washington, UCF, Minnesota, Kansas, Oregon State, Washington State and Cal.

The Razorbacks did sign a good group of linebackers headlined by Georgia transfer and former 5-star Xavian Sorey. He will be joined by a trio of true freshman in Justin Logan, Wyatt Simmons and Julius Pope (signed as an athlete). Adding Shaw would be icing on the cake for a freshman class and bringing Alexander in would elevate the talent level of the upperclassmen.

Texas A&M's Evan Stewart celebrates a big play against Arkansas — Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart celebrates after scoring against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in September.
Jerome Miron (USA TODAY Sports)

Wide Receiver

Another position of said need is one that Bobby Petrino likes to utilize heavily. While there haven't been any visitors yet receiver wise there are several suitable prospects in the portal. Texas A&M's Evan Stewart announced his portal entrance this past week. He missed four games in 2023 but did catch 38 passes for 514 yards and four touchdowns.

Stewart was the No. 1 receiver prospect coming out of Memphis in the 2022 class. He is currently the No. 2 player in the transfer portal, per 247sports. While this is a wish list for Pittman after all it certainly doesn't hurt to try and lure him to Fayetteville since his former offensive coordinator is on staff.

Offensive Line

One of the biggest issues for the Razorbacks in 2023 was their lack of dominant offensive line play. Former line coach Cody Kennedy left to take the same job at Mississippi State while hiring Eric Mateos to replace him. Arkansas signed three transfers during the early signing period on December 20 with Fernando Carmona (San Jose State), Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee) hoping to shore up the deficiencies that plagued the Razorbacks last season.

According to Pittman, they aren't done yet wanting to add an interior lineman. While most portal linemen have already signed early there could be more movement come spring ball.

Defensive Line

One note we've learned is defensive line coach Deke Adams loves his edge rushers. That is exactly the position Pittman wants to target in the transfer portal. The Razorbacks missed on Nathan Matlack who eventually committed to Kansas State.

The top uncommitted edge rusher currently available is Korey Foreman. The Corona, California native signed with the Trojans as the No. 3 player in the country for 2021. During his three seasons at Southern Cal, Foreman has recorded 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

As for adding to the interior Anton Juncaj of FCS Albany is an intriguing prospect. He has already earned several high-major offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Houston, Oklahoma State, Maryland, Texas A&M, Kansas, Arizona State, Arizona, Boston College and Indiana. The 6-foot-3, 273 pounder dominated his competition in 2023 recording 55 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles, 12 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups.

Juncaj will have one year left to play as a graduate transfer. His 15 sacks set a program record for the Great Danes while also leading the FCS. The Albany transfer was named an All-American following his performance this season.