Luke Hasz will be key weapon for Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE — Former Bixby standout tight end Luke Hasz is now making outstanding plays for the University of Arkansas.

Hasz is a sophomore who is back healthy after missing the second half of his freshman season following an injury against Texas A&M. In five games in 2023, Hasz caught 16 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Hasz and the Hogs are just under a week away from the season opener. The Hogs scrimmaged last Thursday and Hasz had a couple of big catches.

“Yes, I think they all just worked out because Coach (Bobby) Petrino gave us some really good plays that have been working in practice,” Hasz said. “We were able to take them and use them when we went live for the scrimmage. Then Taylen (Green) was on time every single throw that he made. He made it really easy. 

“There were a bunch of guys out there that were making great catches today. But the defense did a great job too.”

Petrino was hired in the offseason as offensive coordinator. He likes what he has seen from Hasz.

“I mean first of all, he’s got good hand-eye coordination,” Petrino said. “His ability to adjust his body and make the catch, he’s very good on his route running and he’s tough. He’s a tough young man. He doesn’t shy away from anything.”

In the scrimmage, Arkansas’ quarterbacks suffered eight interceptions. Hasz was asked what the message from Petrino was afterward?

“I’d say there’s a lot that we can all work on as a whole, with tight ends too,” Hasz said. “Just with pass protection and things like that. Our defense came out and played lights out. They were really good. So we have a lot to go back and watch on film and take care of. But I think we’ll definitely learn from it.”

Dylan Hasz is a defensive back for the Razorbacks. Luke admitted that it’s a very good situation to remain a teammate with Dylan just like at Bixby.

“It’s awesome,” Hasz said. “Having my twin brother on the team is something we’ve talked about for a while. Just getting to live together and room together. Having him on the team, honestly just makes you play a little bit harder because you have a true brother on the team. We’re all family but it just means more. It’s awesome for Tevis (Metcalf) and TJ (Metcalf) because you can just tell they are super close too and they get along and bond really well.”

The injury that limited Hasz to five games was suffered on the first play against Texas A&M. Did it take Hasz some time to get back into the groove during spring after missing that much time with the injury?

“Nah. It sucked missing camp even though not a lot of people would say that,” Hasz said. “You’d be surprised. It’s like missing one day of school and it feels like you’ve missed a whole week. But no, I’m definitely glad to be back. I feel like they did a great job of bringing me back. Like at a good and early time. I feel great and I felt great today. So it was good to be back out there.”

Morgan Turner coaches the tight ends and is pleased with the work ethic shown by Hasz while fighting back from injury.

“His dedication has been unbelievable,” Turner said. “I mean, he’s on the smaller side but he’s put in the time, he’s added weight, added strength. I think he’s in great shape, he’s lean. He wants to be great. You can see it with the way he works but you can also feel it. He just has that desire and the way he lives his life reflects that.”

Turner has seen a difference in Hasz from the time of his injury until now.

“Just continue to grow,” Turner said. “Learning the details of the offense. It’s not just running around and getting open, not that he didn’t do that last year but even just being on the details more, and he wants to be involved in the run game. He wants to do everything. It’s really fun to work with a player like that, I can coach him hard. I can ask him to do anything and he’s going to do it because he wants to, he wants to be great.”

Turner isn’t sure Hasz even has a ceiling. He knows his star tight end can be among the best in the country.

“It’s hard to say,” Turner said. “As long as he continues to grow and learn what we’re doing and play within the confines of the offense, good things are going to happen. I don’t know how it’s going to play out. You never know when the ball is going to go his way. But I know he’s putting in every effort to make it happen.”

Did Hasz’s performance last season surprise Turner at least some?

“I think so,” Turner said. “It’s hard to come in as a freshman and play. Especially a physical position like tight end in this league. He only got four games in a few. He does a nice job.”

Hasz and the Razorbacks will take on UAPB at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 in Little Rock and televised on ESPNU.