Random Observations: KJ, Pittman, Kennedy's Last Laugh, and Did Rocket Take a Shot?

Plus, a breakdown of the best road trip for Arkansas Razorback fans on the 2024

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Dec 14, 2023 10:48 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – This has to be one of the most awkward moments in Arkansas football history.

By bringing in Boise State's Jaylen Green, the Razorback coaching staff has clearly indicated it's ready to move on from the KJ Jefferson era and sit back as Jacolby Criswell, Malachi Singleton and Green fight it out this spring. However, Jefferson is still technically there with his name all over the transfer portal without actually being in the transfer portal.

It has to be jarring. He put in so much work last offseason to get himself ready for one final run that was supposed to vault him to the NFL. Jefferson focused on his footwork, increasing his ability to move around the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield ready to throw.

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos seemed content to allow his inherited quarterback to demonstrate he can be a pocket passer while trying to help him avoid injury by running the ball too much. Unfortunately, there wasn't an offensive line willing to block for Jefferson, so not only did running the ball become a necessity, it became pretty much his only option. Otherwise, he was going to spend the entire night betting blasted from all sides before he could even hit his plant foot.

The result is what must be a frustrating devaluation. Jefferson not only dropped his stock from a possible late rounds project to undraftable, he has fallen off the map in transfer value.

Had he left last season, he could have probably commanded slightly more than the reported $1 million+ he received at Arkansas. He would have been a hot commodity who would have been worthy of a bidding war.

Now, as quarterback after quarterback drops off the board, lowering the number of potential suitors, it's clear there is no bidding war to be had this year. If there is, it's minimal at best.

Thus, Jefferson, once in a legitimate argument with eventual Heisman winner Jayden Daniels as to which quarterback is the SEC's best, now finds himself in limbo. He's not really viewed as a Razorback anymore, nor is he viewed as anyone else's quarterback.

Until the situation resolves itself, there's only one word to describe it. Awkward.

Did Rocket Sanders Take Shot at Pittman?

Speaking of awkward, the next time Pittman and former Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders meet, it could be a little uneasy at first. That's because, intentional or not, Sanders appears to take a jab at his former coach Sam Pittman.

From the opening second of his hype video to introduce him to South Carolina fans, Sanders is shown sitting on a throne.

As Arkansas fans remember from the height of Pittman's glory days as head coach, he was photographed on a throne with all the rivalry trophies surrounding him. The Razorbacks were riding the high of a 9-win season and Larry the Bowling Ball hadn't been sent into hiding in some dusty closet in the athletics facility.

Sam Pittman sits on a throne surrounded by all the trophies his Razorbacks won in 2021, along with Larry the Bowling Ball. — (Razorback Communications)

Cody Kennedy Gets Laugh at Razorbacks' Expense

By all means, Arkansas is making a bit of headway in the transfer portal. However, news that Pittman missed out on bringing in coveted North Texas center Ethan Miner had to sting.

That's because former offensive line coach Cody Kennedy was able to beat out his old boss. Miner passed on a chance to go to Arkansas and will, instead, spend his next year in Starkville with Kennedy and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Pickings are slim for Razorback fans

A poll went out on social media asking which game on the 2024 schedule will be the best possible road trip. Unfortunately for Arkansas fans, the options are pretty terrible: Stillwater, Auburn, Starkville, Columbia.

Had the question been which game would be most fun to attend, that's easy. The atmosphere at Oklahoma State in early September should be pretty crazy and the game itself should be a great experience.

However, the question is best road trip and lists the towns. People who have never been to Stillwater may picture their typical college towns, but this doesn't fit the bill.

There's little to like as a visitor. It's out in the middle of nowhere. There are very few hotels. Parking on game days is a nightmare, and there are only a handful restaurants. It makes Starkville look like Far North Dallas.

None of the others leave much to be desired. Starkville has improved as a town over the years, but it's nothing to get excited about. Plus, you have to hear those cowbells all day long.

Columbia is Columbia. Not once has a sports journalist interviewed an athlete who attended Missouri who showed excitement for the town itself. Plus, Missouri fans try to hard to make Arkansas fans care about the Tigers football program. Obnoxiously hard.

The endless trolling by fans of a team that just doesn't get the heart pumping sounds miserable. Plus, there's all that smoke from Eli Drinkwitz's imaginary cigar puffing floating all over town.

It seems Auburn almost has to win by default. The game should be interesting as Arkansas isn't likely to misjudge the improvement Hugh Freeze has created in the program this time.

The biggest upside is if for someone reason Razorback fans can't or won't stay in Auburn, which isn't a terrible place, the game is early enough in the season where staying in Destin, Florida and making the 3.5 hour drive to Auburn could make for a really fun mini-vacation.