JD PicKell: Arkansas is built to sustain, improve upon 2021 success
When Sam Pittman accepted the Arkansas job, expectations were low. The Razorbacks were in a brutal stretch as a program, desperately needing a turnaround. Pittman has been able to provide a rebuild and done so at a quick pace. After a nine-win performance last year, there is some buzz surrounding Arkansas, hoping for some improvement in 2022.
Consider On3’s J.D. PicKell a believer in Pittman, saying Arkansas’ ceiling for the upcoming season is 10 regular season wins. He thinks the offensive weapons coming back, mainly quarterback KJ Jefferson, could be the difference. Add in a solid offensive line and Jadon Haselwood through the transfer portal and PicKell likes what Pittman is cooking.
“The ceiling at Arkansas, in house — the feeling is 10-2,” PicKell said. “For the fanbase, ‘if we go 10-2, we’re excited about that.’ Now, the expectation is eight wins. Eight wins in a healthy season for Arkansas. My own personal diagnosis is, why not? Why not go 10-2? There’s a lot you have in place right now.
“You got four of your five offensive linemen back. Got KJ Jefferson, one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC, if not the country. Similar to Arkansas, plays his own brand of football and I love it. I love watching that dude get downhill and run over linebackers. What’s stopping you? You got a lot of tools. You got Jadon Haselwood, who, in theory, is supposed to step in and replace Treylon Burks. I think he has the chance to do that.
Arkansas “built” for better 2022 season
PicKell wants Arkansas to “kick down the door” and establish itself as a top team in the SEC West this season. He recognizes the schedule can be tough, especially with Cincinnati and BYU in the nonconference portion. However, he thinks the Razorbacks are “built” to build off their 2022 season and possibly reach that 10-win mark.
“They’re built to build off what they did a year ago,” said PicKell. “There’s no reason as to why they have to step back to eight games, seven games. The schedule is not kind by any stretch of the imagination but there’s no reason why they have to take a step back right now. Arkansas — foot is in the door. Kick that thing down. Be a continual player in the SEC. They’ve got the guy to do it in Sam Pittman. KJ Jefferson, like I said — he’s coming back. Kick the door down.”
Two of Arkansas’ more difficult games will come at home, with South Carolina coming to town Week 2 and Alabama just three weeks later. A rivalry matchup against Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium could be the swing game for the Razorbacks, being the difference between taking a step forward and not.