14-in-14 2023: Arkansas Razorbacks
2022 fell short of expectations for Sam Pittman and the Razorbacks. Can Arkansas get back on the Hog in 2023?
By: Hammer
With KJ Jefferson back, weapons like Jadon Haselwood on the outside, and a defense that boasted Bumper Pool, Jalon Catalon and transfer LB Drew Sanders, the 2022 Razorbacks team was expected to build on their breakout 9-4 season in 2021. Then it came crashing back to earth as Catalon was injured in the first game and the offense sputtered in big games. Losses like the 40-17 Mississippi State thumping or the 21-19 loss to Liberty stung and puts the Razorbacks in a position to recalibrate in 2023 to see if they can reclaim some of the magic from Pittman’s second season.
So how’re we looking heading into a pivotal season?
State of the Program: 6/12 Biscuits. Right in the middle, there’s some hope, but it’s mostly bland; They look right, but they don’t taste like much.
Arkansas is in an odd spot. When Sam Pittman arrived, the program was in arguably the worst spot they had ever been in. Chad Morris took the program on a complete nose dive and did everything he could to cancel the whole shebang. Pittman came in, got the players to buy in, and in his second year went 9-4. He instilled hope and reinvigorated the rabid Razorback fanbase. A 7-6 record in 2022 brought the fans back down to earth and now the question is whether or not 2021 was a flash in the pan or is Sam Pittman really the right dude to lead this program?
Pittman is not on the hot seat, but if he has another lackluster year it’s going to start heating up. Given the Hogs recent track record, including prior to Pittman, how can you not say they are right in the middle? Outside of 2021, putting them in the middle of the pack is generous.
I do think Pittman is a good coach, though, so I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. His hiring of Dan Enos at OC and Travis Williams at DC are vital to their success moving forward. Win 8-9 games in 2023 and the Hogs are right back on track but until we see it for more than one year, this program is smack dab in the middle of the pack.
What went right in 2022?
KJ Jefferson and Rahiem “Rocket” Sanders. Pretty simple. Jefferson was one of the best QBs in the SEC last year when healthy, and when he was banged up and missed a couple of games, their offense was totally lost. Jefferson threw for 2,549 yards and 24 touchdowns with a 68% completion rate. He also added 640 rushing yards and 9 TDs, all with just 5 interceptions. That's a damn good stat line for an SEC quarterback. Not to be outdone, Rocket Sanders ran wild across the southeast last fall, totaling 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. And it wasn’t like he amassed those states toting the rock 25+ times a game. In fact, Sanders led the SEC in yards per carry at 6.5. Led by those two standouts, the Arkansas offense was good in 2022, averaging over 470 yards and 32 points per game.
One more positive from 2022: Arkansas got after the quarterback. Drew Sanders was tied for the SEC lead in sacks with 10. His teammate Jordan Domineck was third in the conference with 8 sacks. Unfortunately, both players have moved on from Fayetteville. Sanders is in the NFL and Domineck joined Deion “PrimeTime” Sanders in Boulder, CO via the transfer portal.
What went wrong in 2022?
The entire defense outside of Drew Sanders/Jordan Domineck and the pass rush. The Razorback defense was abysmal last season, surrendering 30.6 points per game which was 13th in the SEC only ahead of Vandy. And those points allowed were no fluke as Arkansas gave up 465 yards per game, which was good for worst in the SEC. The Hogs did have serious injury issues, especially in that leaky secondary but that’s football. No one is here to make excuses and whine about injuries. The bottom line is the defense was terrible and it cost them several games.
The good news (I think) is that Barry Odom is out as the defensive coordinator. He was not fired but rather took the head coaching job at UNLV. Given the results from a year ago, no Arkansas fan was sad to see Odom leave.
One more thing that went wrong. The Hogs lost to an 8-4 Liberty team at home. Not great, Bob!
What the Razorbacks need in 2023
They need a lot. Given their talent level and the return of KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders, this team has a fairly low floor. 6-6, just as they were a year ago, seems like the worst-case scenario. We know this team will play hard for Sam Pittman so not going to a bowl game seems out of the question. But Razorback fans won’t be happy with 6-6, especially not with one of the best QBs in the conference running the offense. Hog fans want to see improvement and they want to win while they have Jefferson.
Part of the reason I say they have a lot that needs to go right in 2023 is because of how much change this team endured during the offseason. So to meet fan expectations of 8 or 9 wins, the team has to improve across the board despite replacing both coordinators and losing 31 players to the transfer portal. Similar to Lane Kiffin, Sam Pittman has been using the transfer portal extremely well in his time in Fayetteville, but 31 players leaving is crazy, man. The roster turnover coaches are dealing with nowadays is nuts, but that is a conversation for another day. For things to improve in 2023, the Hogs have to replace all those players who skipped town, and they brought in 19 transfers to try and do so. Their transfer portal class is ranked #11 according to 247 Sports.
So who are some key names to look out for that must produce for Arkansas to have a good year in 2023? Well, given how poor that secondary was a year ago, let’s begin there. Safety Alhahiym Walcott from Baylor and cornerback Jaheim Singletary from Georgia will be front and center. Both are expected to start and the Hogs need big years from those two if they hope to shore up the defensive backfield. Anthony Booker from Maryland and Trajan Jeffcoat from Missouri should help on the defensive line. Offensively, the Hog staff is high on tight end Var’Keyes Gumms from North Texas and wideouts Isaac TeSlaa and Andrew Armstrong, both of whom are jumping up from lower divisions in college football. Also, keep an eye on Isaiah Satenga, the RS-freshman WR who could blossom into a top target for KJ Jefferson. That is a lot of transfers to rely on. It could all work out and the Hogs put a great season together. But similar to division rival Ole Miss, having so many holes that must be filled by transfers is a precarious situation to be in. No one except those who are at practice every day knows how this will go.
If all those transfers pan out, and new coordinators Dan Enos on offense and Travis Williams on define improve their units this team could win 8-9 games. That’s a tall task though. It will be a fascinating 2023 season in Fayetteville.
How they can earn some extra biscuits
It’s simple. Win 8-9 games, win the games you're supposed to, don’t get blown out, and be competitive in the SEC West. If the Hogs can’t win at least 8 games with one of the best QB/RB duos in the SEC if not the nation, when can they?
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