Sam Pittman-Alabama — Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman during a 49-26 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday at Razorback Stadium. (Michael Morrison / allHOGSS Images)

Lots of Questions for Fall Camp, But Folks Picking Them High

With a ton of new players added in transfer portal, early projections getting high

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
May 25, 2023 4:27 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don't get the wrong idea. Nobody is picking Arkansas to win the first-ever national championship in program history this year, but it is interesting to see the rather high picks they are getting.

Lots of questions, which may have additional ones coming before the middle of August when we start the picking for real. We don't know what we don't know yet. There are high expectations for the offense, though, and quarterback KJ Jefferson is starting to be at the top of a lot of folks' All-SEC lists along with Rocket Sanders.

It would be easier to feel comfortable about that offense if there were some answers at offensive tackle. If you think Jefferson or any running back is going to have a huge year without somebody coming to the front in that gaggle of players when they begin playing games is probably wrong. Especially for Jefferson's health.

Don't be surprised to see teams try to crash the edges early to see if they've gotten any answers at those tackle spots. The running game will likely be able to move the ball.

A lot of folks are putting a lot of hope what new offensive coordinator Dan Enos produced in his previous tenure with the Razorbacks, but part of that was with Sam Pittman coaching the line instead of a walking buffet line it fell off to. Now it seems to be a little more stable now, but anytime there are a lot of newcomers on the offensive line, fans should be nervous for a bit. Maybe no position group on the field requires their level of team play to be successful.

Defense can be figured out. Let's face it, getting worse probably can't happen. At least there is the prospect the secondary can actually cover a double move by a receiver or make consistent plays. The emerging best cornerback probably won't be playing this year recovering from a car wreck.

Athlon Sports has the Hogs on the first tier of teams not in the Top 25 in the post-spring rankings and seventh in the SEC, which is about where they normally finish. With the soft non-conference schedule that will be possible early.

There is one projection I'll make right now: how the Hogs handle a mid-season stretch of games starting against LSU on Sept. 23 and ending Nov. 4 at Florida will determine how everybody's attitude is for the final month of the season. We'll have all these questions answered by then ... and we still don't know what may pop up in the interim.