How Has Pittman's Arkansas Staff Done in Recuiting the Past Four Years?

Ranking the Top 10 Razorback recruits of his era, plus honorable mentions

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Dec 8, 2023 1:53 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With Sam Pittman and his staff immersed in the midst of locking down the current recruiting class while working to hand out as many offers as possible to future recruits, it's worth taking a look at what came of the past four years worth of Arkansas signees under Pittman.

The foundation of a program is built through original recruits. While bringing in temporary players who were crafted under other programs is nice for filler, molding and developing a coach's own players is how depth and culture is built over time. As a result, the Top 10 list below is strictly traditional recruits. Thus, no transfers were considered.

#10
ANDREW CHAMBLEE, OL
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KJ Jefferson Running Behind Offensive Lineman Andrew Chamblee — (Craven Whitlow – allHogs Images)

Despite being part of what might be the worst offensive line performance in decades at Arkansas, the one bright spot was the growth of red-shirt freshman Andrew Chamblee. It's almost never a good sign to have a freshman of any type starting along the offensive line because of how physical development naturally coincides with time when it comes to being built into an SEC caliber lineman. However, Chamblee played above what should be expected of a freshman thrown into the position, and the experience, even though it wasn't the best, will pay off in the long run.

#9
ISAIAH AUGUSTAVE, RB
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Razorbacks running back Isaiah Augustave against Florida International. — (Nelson Chenault / USA TODAY Sports)

From the first time Augustave touched the ball against Western Carolina, it was obvious Arkansas had stumbled into a quality back. There was something about the way he ran, a certain amount of heart and genuine natural talent, that made him jump off the screen. Rather than burn his red-shirt and needlessly beat him up behind an insufficient offensive line, Pittman held him back as a beacon of hope heading into 2024. When he was free to finally step into a more substantial role, he produced one of only two 100-yard rushing performances this season. His 80 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries was the lone bright spot on a dark day against Missouri. That touchdown was the only one scored by a running back against an SEC opponent, and one of only two rushing SEC touchdowns for the Razorbacks.

#8
CAM BALL, DT
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Cam Ball pushes his way through preseason drills. — (Andy Hodges – allHogs Images)

Ball is nothing if not consistent when it comes to his time as defensive tackle. He's going to give you 31 or 32 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble like clockwork. Only a junior when next season begins, at 6-5, 319, he not only offers a steady hand who takes up a lot of effort and space along the defensive line, but he should be in line to take a leap forward next season as is often the case with players whose bodies finally fill out perfectly in line with the necessary experience to dominate the trenches.

#7
CHRIS PAUL, JR., LB
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Razorbacks linebacker Chris Paul after making a stop in loss Saturday night — (Walt Beazley / Arkansas Communications)

Paul wasn't putting up the numbers of his predecessors, but he was a solid player at linebacker. Not everyone can hang 100 tackles at linebacker, and it's not required to be considered a valuable piece. He had 62 tackles as a part-timer in 2022. Once he took over as a starter, that number stretched to 74. Unfortunately for Arkansas fans, they won't get to see whether he continues to improve next season as he was among the first to hit the transfer portal once the season ended.

#6
JAYDEN JOHNSON, DB
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Razorbacks defensive back Jayden Johnson on a blitz against Western Carolina — (Ted McClenning / allHOGS Images)

Johnson may be the most underappreciated player on this list. He spent all camp having his name pop up under the 'Oh, and..." category. "Oh, and Johnson made that pick." "Oh, and Johnson made that tackle to save a first down." It just kept happening. Then, once the season started, it continued in games. He posted 61 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. That's a strong season for any defensive back and he has shown steady growth each year. Getting to enter next season with a full grasp of Travis Williams' defense and another year of emotional maturity will make him dangerous in 2024.

#5
QUINCEY MCADOO, WR/DB
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Razorbacks' Quincy McAddoo in a fall practice last August — (Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images)

McAdoo was pegged to be a receiver, but once it became apparent there were few capable hands in Barry Odom's secondary, the freshman made the move and immediately brought a change in attitude and impact. There was a ferocity in the way he covered and how he finished plays. Plus, having flipped from receiver, he brought hands that made him a danger to intercept anything that got near him as he mentally shifted from defender to receiver once the ball was in the air. Hopes were high for an All-SEC type performance this past season, but, unfortunately, a car accident brought his season to an abrupt end before it ever began.

#4
JAYLON BRAXTON, DB
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Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jaylon Braxton breaks up a pass intended Florida Gators wide receiver Kahleil Jackson. — (Doug Engle– USA TODAY Sports)

There were high expectations of Braxton despite his true freshman status because of how hard he pushed himself against higher competition during his off-seasons in Frisco, Texas. At first, it looked like all that time working against professional athletes might not have prepared him as much as initially thought, but as the year progressed, Braxton developed into the high level defensive back Arkansas fans anticipated when he signed. By the time the season ended, teams began to shy away from him and he had as man touchdowns as the entire running back room had SEC rushing touchdowns. His growth over the next season should make him a league-wide star next year.

#3
LUKE HASZ, TE
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Arkansas freshman tight end Luke Hasz breaks free against the LSU Tigers for a touchdown in Baton Rouge. — (Craven Whitlow – USA TODAY Sports)

Hasz blew up during the offseason as the obvious choice as most reliable receiving option despite being an undersized tight end. He quickly rose to the top and became about the only option quarterback KJ Jefferson could rely upon to get space in the secondary. As soon as he went down early on against Texas A&M, it became obvious the Dan Enos offense didn't function nearly as well without him. Ty Washington did his best to take up the slack before he too suffered an injury, but there was no way to fully replace the freshman star. Hasz had 16 catches for 253 yards and three touchdowns through essentially four games. He is tailor-made for the typical Bobby Petrino offense, so its fair to expect big things next season.

#2
RAHEIM "ROCKET" SANDERS, WR/RB
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Razorbacks running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders during game with Western Carolina in Little Rock. — (Nelson Chenault / USA TODAY Sports)

Sanders only managed to have one big season in his three years with the Razorbacks, but it was truly a special year. He posted 1,710 total yards as he put the entire league on notice. Everyone expected even bigger things in 2023, but the Dan Enos offense never took hold and the offensive line could only hold. Couple that with nagging injuries and the choice to take a bit of time away from the team, and the production never came close to what he hoped. It should be noted Sanders had one of only two 100 yard rushing performances with 103 yards on 18 carries in an upset of Florida in Gainesville. His only two touchdowns of 2023 came in the opener against Western Carolina.

#1
CAM LITTLE, K
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Razorbacks kicker Cam Little with an extra point in opening game — (Nelson Chenault / USA TODAY Sports)

There's not a player recruited by PIttman who is even close to the level of Little when compared to his peers across the country. There's no flash in the pan or slump argument here. From the second Little stepped onto the field as a Razorback he became such a symbol for greatness that it was only news if he missed a field goal, regardless of how far out it was. Kicking from 50+ distance was simply assumed points by Razorbacks fans to the point they became frustrated with Pittman for going for it on 4th & 1 so many times instead of kicking the field goal.

Of all the players on this list, he is the only one who is a definite lock for a career in the NFL. Hasz and Braxton are on pace for a chance to be drafted, but as has been seen over and over with these recruits, there is a tendency to flash bright, then have something happen that pulls them back to the pack.