Razorbacks Still Shuffling Around Key Position Group

One week into season, Hogs are still no wiser as to who their main five guys will be

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Sep 7, 2023 3:15 AM EDT
Original:
Sep 6, 2023

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a week where the majority of the SEC played non-power 5 schools, the vaunted Arkansas rushing attack came up with 105 total rushing yards (12th in the conference, ahead of only South Carolina and Florida, who both played AP Top 25 Teams).

With the status of lead running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders' status up in the air for Saturday's game against Kent State (Pittman had no update on his status at the presser, although he remained optimistic that any absence would be short-lived), it is imperative the offensive line step up their performance to avoid the Razorbacks' offense from becoming one-dimensional.

"I'd like to find five guys (and go) this is our left tackle; this is our right tackle," Pittman said. "I would like to find that and then be able to play up to around eight guys. We haven't been able to do that simply because we've been beat up here, beat up there."

The Hogs expect to have senior left guard Brady Latham back after being held out in Week 1 with an undisclosed injury. His expected return this week should bring some stability to the line.

"We know how much he's given this program and how much he cares for it," junior guard Josh Braun said. "On the offensive line, he's a captain of the team, but on the offensive line he's also a captain. Just having him there driving the bus makes a whole world of difference."

With Latham back, he and center Beaux Limmer are the only two solidified starters of the five. The starting group used in the first game may not stay the same moving forward, but that may be a blessing in disguise.

"Are the five guys that started last Saturday our five best?" Pittman asked. "Heck, I don't know ... You want to find your five best and let them go play and then hopefully you've got up to eight. We're still not there yet. We're not healthy enough to be there at this point. It's frustrating a little bit. However, I do think it will help us in the long run."

Whomever Pittman decides to go with this Saturday, he'll have plenty of room for improvement in the home opener against Kent State at 3 p.m. on SEC Network and fuboTV.