Sam Pittman Enters Pivotal Sixth Season at Arkansas Amid Roster Questions, SEC Coach Criticism
Sam Pittman is heading into his sixth year as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the pressure has never been higher. In truth, his job has felt precarious for the past three seasons, but he’s managed to do just enough to earn another shot each year.
This offseason brought another wave of player departures to the transfer portal, forcing Pittman to rebuild once again. With so many new faces, uncertainty naturally follows, making 2025 a make-or-break year for the Razorbacks’ head coach. But has Pittman done enough to secure his future in Fayetteville? A few anonymous SEC coaches offered their perspective.
Anonymous SEC Coaches Weigh In
As always, anonymous quotes from coaches should be taken with some skepticism. While they may have inside knowledge, only those within the program truly understand the full picture. Still, their opinions provide a glimpse into how Arkansas is viewed around the league.
In short, the reviews aren’t flattering. The Razorbacks’ roster — or lack of standout talent — was a consistent point of concern.
“Last year, they did just enough to keep [Sam] Pittman off the hot seat, but it will be just as difficult this season. Sam has a ton of respect, but this roster isn’t going to separate them,” one coach said.
Offensive Line, Wide Receiver Remain Key Areas
Two of Arkansas’ biggest needs this spring were at wide receiver and along the offensive line. With Andrew Armstrong, Isaac TeSlaa, and Isaiah Sategna all gone — whether to the draft or portal — the Hogs briefly believed they had their next WR1 after a breakout Liberty Bowl performance. However, that player also transferred out shortly after.
Despite the turnover, coaches seem moderately optimistic about the receiving corps. “The receivers are solid, and [Taylen] Green is solid,” said one coach, referring to Arkansas’ new quarterback. “But they couldn’t protect him, and they would get into trouble in third-and-obvious situations.”
The Razorbacks ranked 110th nationally in sacks allowed last season, surrendering 2.77 per game — among the worst in college football.
Following the departures of Joshua Braun, Patrick Kutas, and Addison Nichols to the portal, Pittman — a former offensive line coach himself — had to address a position that’s struggled for years. In response, Arkansas brought in several high-impact transfers, including Georgia Tech’s Corey Robinson II, the top-rated pass protector in the country last season, and a mammoth 6-foot-8, 375-pound lineman who previously committed to Oregon.
Arkansas also landed Ole Miss guard Kavion Broussard and UCF center Cade Kitler. If these newcomers can help solidify the line, Arkansas could see significant improvement. But will it be enough?
“If they can find a better O-line, I think the offense can carry them back to that six- or seven-win level,” one coach said.
Do the Coaches Really Understand Arkansas?
Here’s where the evaluations get murky. Arkansas won six games last season despite an abysmal offensive line. With better protection, it’s plausible they could have upset teams like Texas A&M, Texas, or Missouri.
So why would a better line produce the same win total?
Some anonymous comments also seemed off base. One coach questioned the defensive front: “They need better offensive line play, and they don’t have SEC-level talent up front on defense.”
That claim doesn’t quite hold up. While the Razorbacks lost Landon Jackson, they still return key contributors. Cam Ball is one of the more underrated interior linemen in the SEC, and on the edges, Quincey Rhodes Jr. has SEC-caliber physical tools. The team also features former 4-star recruits Charlie Collins and Kavion Henderson. The depth may not be elite, but the talent is there.
NIL Challenges Hurting Depth
One of the more credible critiques came from a coach who cited Arkansas’ struggles in the NIL space.
“I don’t think they’re competing at a top level in NIL right now. You look at the portal exits, and it’s really hard for a mid- to low-tier program in this league to sustain bowl eligibility with this many extra holes to fill.”
Indeed, Arkansas has long battled issues with depth, and falling behind in NIL only makes it harder to retain or replace high-end talent. Until that changes, building and maintaining a competitive SEC roster will remain an uphill climb.
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