Pittman Looking to NFL Model to fill Out Hogs’ Scholarship Roster

By Andy Hodges,

2023-02-02

With nine spots available, what he's looking find where he can get best players.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman isn't trying to fill needs after the second signing day Wednesday.

He's almost at the maximum number.

"There's 85 scholarships and we're at 76," he said Wednesday. "Once you get to 76, if you look at it as an NFL pattern, they're at 53 and they seem to be able to get pretty good players out there. So, I think right now would be the best players available."

He wants to have scholarships available for any "best players" who pop up in the transfer portal in May.

That will show some surprises in players who go through spring practice and decide to leave due to any number of issues.

The numbers individual positions are good.

For now.

"I'm talking about scholarship-wise," he said explaining how they would be looking at anybody available. "In other words, I'm not saying necessarily the necessity at the position. I'm talking about the number of people at the position."

Considering all the new faces, especially in the secondary, the offense may be in the best shape numbers-wise at quarterback, running back and, maybe, tight end.

"I'd like to look at another guy that can snap the ball, offensively," Pittman said. "We've got to find maybe one more. In losing guys last year, a bunch of those guys could snap. Obviously Ricky played center, but Jones could snap."

The wide receiver crew has added several new faces, but none have the high expectations that came with a big group last year that worked out okay.

"We may be full there as well," he said "We'd certainly take a dynamic one."

That's pretty much the same story everywhere, so don't expect nine spots to still be available for fall practice.

Pittman invoked the NFL at his press conference Wednesday, which is limited to 53 players on the active roster. It usually juggles faces in an out of that nearly all season long.

"They seem to be able to get pretty good players out there," he said.

Now he's just looking around for good players. As for whom that will be, we probably won't know about that until May or summer.