Pittman’s Seat Lacks Intense Flames, but It Could Change

After losing in-state players, things seem to have calmed down, but for how long?

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Dec 27, 2023 8:44 AM EST
Original:
Dec 26, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In mid-November Arkansas coach Sam Pittman appeared to be physically holding onto the proverbial door frame trying to hold on while Razorback fans pushed their hardest from behind. What a difference a month can make.

Arkansas’ signing class appeared to be falling apart following a 4-8 season. The top player in the class, Courtney Crutchfield decommitted and other top players were considering elsewhere.

From the outside looking in, offers to junior college players and lowly rated transfer portal prospects were a troubling sight. With the announcement of Bobby Petrino returning as offensive coordinator paired with the new NIL collective, Arkansas Edge, the uptick began.

Former 5-star Georgia players like Xavian Sorey and Nyland Green visited, but a quick trigger commitment from either player was not in the cards. While the recruiting front remained silent, discontent within the fanbase grew. Nothing promising was blooming, but things take time.

It’s understandable, especially at Arkansas, that with no bowl game, a losing record and retaining the coach there better be good reasoning behind it.

Patience, folks. Sam Pittman is still in control of the program. The performances against Auburn, Missouri and FIU held no promise but it’s no accident that the Petrino and NIL news didn’t impact Arkansas offseason efforts tremendously.

The past 11 days have been good to Arkansas. Landing Top 100 linebacker Bradley Shaw and possibly Top 300 running back J’Marion Burnette from under the nose of Hugh Freeze and Nick Saban shows the Razorbacks still mean business. Such an addition would vault the Hogs into the Top 10 in the SEC for the 2024 recruiting class.

Landing a good crop of transfers like Sorey, Addison Nichols, Fernando Carmona, Doneiko Slaughter, Keyshawn Blackstock and Taylen Green validate the belief in the Razorback program under Pittman’s guidance. The roster already looks solid on paper and it’s a long time until the Razorbacks play UAPB in Little Rock on Aug. 31.