Razorbacks' Best Performer of Day Shows Problems in Bad Year

Kicker Cam Little has some highlights on Pro Day while others simply run, jump

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Mar 14, 2024 8:30 AM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Watching other people run, jump and lift weights is like being a spectator at a gym. Nobody does that, which is why I'm not one of the few who particularly enjoys combines and Pro Day workouts like Wednesday at the indoor practice facility.

Kicker Cam Little had a ball and was doing interesting things, drawing my attention quickly. It was hard not to notice because he was banging it, hitting the catwalk high on the west end where it hung up between the big wall units.

Razorbacks kicker Cam Little at Pro Day on Wednesday — Arkansas Razorbacks kicker Cam Little kicking for NFL scouts at his Pro Day workout indoors at the football facility on Wednesday, March 12, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

It also showed one of the biggest reasons Arkansas went 4-8 last year. Little had a good day, but everybody else was just going through regular drills as scouts observed with watches and notepads jotting down anything that could be measured. As I learned 40 years ago, even if the measurables are good, it doesn't mean someone can play football at the pro level. That's why I don't really pay a lot of attention to it.

After former Dallas Cowboy Drew Pearson suffered injuries in a car crash in the spring of 1984, ending his career, he joined Tom Landry's staff as a special teams assistant. However, after a couple of years, he quit because he didn't like how players were evaluated for the NFL Draft.

"Just let me go look at them and see if they can play football," Pearson said after resigning. "None of that other stuff matters if they can't play football."

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman would probably agree with that these days. After a rough season, he's optimistic about this fall. When your kicker is the guy that stands out the most at Pro Day for NFL scouts, you don't really have a lot of big-time players on the roster. Even the greatest coaches will admit they got there in large part because of the players.

Pittman was at the Pro Day workout, along with many of his staff. Bobby Petrino was there and relaxed while talking with boosters and everybody else. The reports are true that he's calmed down quite a bit from his earlier days with the Razorbacks.

Razorbacks offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino at Pro Day workouts — Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino watching some of the Pro Day workouts and talking with visitors and NFL scouts on Wednesday, March 12, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

Spending time away from watching film and analyzing practice is always a pleasant diversion. The coaches chat freely off the record, careful not to disclose secrets. It's simply a chance to watch guys work out.

That’s why it was hard to ignore Little's workout because he kept driving kicks off the wall, pushing the crowd that had gathered behind him back further with each attempt. Nearly every kick split the uprights.

With the Arkansas Pro Day officially over, attention returns to watching new players and the actions of new coaching staff members. That's where the real stories are anyway. Just stay tuned.

Razorbacks at Pro Day Workouts

Dwight McGlothern DB 6-2* 185* Sr. Houston, Texas (Klein Oak HS / LSU)

3 Antonio Grier LB 6-1 230 *R-Sr. Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS / USF)

6 John Morgan DL 6-2 270 *R-Sr. Upper Marlboro, Md. (DeMatha Catholic HS / Pitt)

7 Trajan Jeffcoat DL 6-4* 266* *R-Sr. Columbia, S.C. (Irmo HS / Missouri)

10 Cade Fortin QB 6-3 220 *R-Sr. Suwanee, Ga. (North Gwinnett HS / USF)

13 Alfahiym Walcott DB 6-2 210 *Sr. Wilmington, N.C. (Laney HS / Baylor)

29 Cam Little K 6-1* 172* Jr. Moore, Okla. (Southmoore HS)

55 Beaux Limmer OL 6-5* 302* R-Sr. Tyler, Texas (Tyler Lee HS)

62 Brady Latham OL 6-5* 304* R-Sr. Jenks, Okla. (Jenks HS)

89 Nathan Bax TE 6-4 250 *R-Sr. Jefferson City, Mo. (Helias Catholic HS / Ill. St.)

Roje Stona from Hogs' track and field team