Transfer Numbers Not Indicative of Feelings for Coaches, Job Being Done

Playing time, lack of competitive pay what pushes Hogs' portal numbers high each season and there's nothing Pittman can do about it

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Nov 23, 2023 4:22 PM EST

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE – In a couple of days, the gates to the transfer portal will fly wide open. There will be plenty of players who head out, but Razorback fans can't let whatever the number of transfers itself be a referendum on how the players feel about Arkansas coach Sam Pittman.

There will be a lot of reasons players leave, many of which have nothing to do with how they feel about the coaches on staff or the university. There will be players looking for a fresh start somewhere that will provide an opportunity for playing time, which is the case with the Jaylen Lewis, a redshirt freshman defensive back who was the first to jump in the transfer portal.

There will also be a lot of players who leave because playing football for Arkansas is nearly the lowest paying gig in the SEC. If you were working for Pet Supplies Plus making $10 an hour and only due a $0.50 raise after putting in a ton of time and a friend came along to tell you everyone with your skills are starting at $19 per hour and getting raises quickly at McDonald's, you'd be flipping burgers really soon.

No matter how much you love your coworkers and managers, nearly doubling your money per shift is too much to turn down. You would even leave on good terms because how could your boss even be mad at you about that. The only way you're staying is if you're hoping to become a store manager or a vet at some point.

That's how it is for Arkansas. Players leave for more money and no one is really mad except the fans because what can Pittman and his staff do? Unless a player has a girlfriend he doesn't want to leave behind, there's some special program of study the player is invested in that isn't on other campuses, or it's a player who has dreamed of being a Razorback all his life and that's all that matters to him, there's not much Arkansas can offer to compete.

You get what you pay for, and Arkansas just doesn't have enough wealthy alumni, even if they all were set on investing in football, to compete with teams like Alabama, Michigan, Texas, Texas A&M, SMU or Ohio State. Because of how the Razorbacks' NIL methods are set up, it's going to be difficult to even compete with Missouri or the Mississippi schools.

Not only is it set up with low coffers, what money is available goes to a select few because businesses only want the most high profile players promoting their product. That's why quarterback KJ Jefferson is featured for his clothes, jewelry and bags on TV before each game walking into the stadium, but there's not a line of other players equally dripped out behind him.

That's not Jefferson's fault and he shouldn't feel bad about it in any regard. He earned his money. There's just not much left going around to a lot of the other guys. Thus, when it comes transfer portal time, schools with more money that do a better job of taking care of players financially regardless of position through collectives can easily lure pretty much any Razorback they want.

There's nothing Pittman can do about it. He can be the greatest, most beloved coach to ever grace an SEC sideline. It's not going to matter. The state of the offensive line is more than enough proof of that.

In interview after interview last year, offensive line recruits spoke glowingly of how much they respected Pittman, wanted to sit under his learning tree, and genuinely enjoyed their time with him. Not one signed with Arkansas. Instead, they're making more than just about anyone reading this right now while waiting on their opportunity to play.

So, if the revolving door opens back up again with mass exits, even though there will be a few who truly don't like the program or have an issue with a coach, just know a solid chunk of that number has no bearing on the job Pittman or these coaches are doing behind the scenes.

They're just leaving for the same reason most of us leave. Opportunity or money.