Many unknowns surrounding Hogs Football

By Jerry Meadows

FAYETTEVILLE — Coming into Spring Practice for 2025, the Razorbacks had many unknowns coming off their Auto Zone Liberty Bowl victory against Texas Tech.

Gone from last year’s team were graduating seniors: Andrew Armstrong, Anton Juncaj, Doneiko Slaughter, Isaac TeSlaa, Tyrone Broden, Marquise Robinson, Ja’Quinden Jackson, Hudson Clark, Matthew Shipley, Landon Jackson, Eric Gregory, Ty’Kieast Crawford, Joshua Braun and Joe More.

Then, an exodus of players left in December. The Arkansas roster lost almost 30 players just to the portal. This left Coach Sam Pittman and his staff with the daunting task of filling key positions on both sides of the ball. All things considered, Pittman has done a really good job facing this huge obstacle in bringing quality players to help Arkansas football take the next step to produce a winning culture on the hill. 

Arkansas eventually added 26 transfers and 16 Freshmen in preparing for the 2025 season.

Key players returning on offense will be QB Taylen Green, RB Braylen Russell, and OL Kobe Branham, Fernando Carmona, and Keyshawn Blackstock. The question mark on offense is obvious: the receivers. However, Coach Pittman has added WRs Courtney Crutchfield, O’Mega Blake, Raylen Sharpe, Ismael Cisse and Kam Shanks from the portal. However, Arkansas’ ace-in-the-hole could come from Warren, Arkansas in Antonio Jordan. The RB room for Arkansas is full. Braylen Russell is down to 237 lbs from 254 last year. This could help him to be a step faster. Mike Washington Jr has been a bright spot in spring practice, too. When asked who has had a big spring? 

Larry Worth said: “I would say one guy, it’s not that I didn’t have high expectations for him, I just didn’t know what to expect and I would say Mike Washington, the running back, for sure. Like I give people after practice, I just have to strap them up. Mike is one of those running backs, man, I’ve got to strap up for real. I have to put my mouthpiece in, put some air in my helmet, like for real. If I don’t come correct with Mike I’m going to get embarrassed. So I’m definitely like I truly appreciate Mike. He has definitely made me better this spring and I can’t wait to see what he does in the fall.”

The remaining RBs are Rodney Hill, AJ Green, Tyrell Reed Jr and Cam Settles.

On defense, the returning impact players will be: 

DL Cameron Ball, Quincey Rhodes, 

LBs Xavian Sorey, Stephen Dix Jr, Bradley Shaw,

DBs Larry Worth III, Jaheim Singletary.

The offense for 2025 should be able to score. The offensive line looks much like the 2015 O-line when Alex Collins rushed for 1,577 yards. It will be interesting to see how much time this year’s O-line gives QB Taylen Green to pass the ball. It is my opinion that if Arkansas is to be successful next year, the O-line will be the primary reason for another winning season. When asked if he felt the O-line was deeper than the past couple of seasons?

Pittman said: “We are. We definitely are. And I think once we hone in on these are our seven, eight guys, I think we’ll even be better. But yeah, I think we’re, we’re a lot deeper there. We’re a lot bigger, lot stronger, and we have more veteran guys who have played than what we have in the past.”

The defense though remains debatable. Having experience at LB will be a plus, but Arkansas is lean on the defensive line and the defensive backfield has to make significant improvement if Arkansas is going to win close games. 

PREDICTIONS

Arkansas should win 3 of their 4 non-conference games. 

If Arkansas can go 4-4 in conference, they could finish 7-5.

The Razorbacks must to play well at home. All four home games, Texas A&M, Auburn, Miss State, and Missouri are winnable games.

Away games at Ole Miss and Tennessee will be difficult but Arkansas could pull off a surprise against one of these teams.

Nevertheless, Arkansas will not beat either Texas or LSU. These two games are in Austin and Baton Rouge and Arkansas has yet to prove they can win at this level in a hostile environment. Most likely they will make these games competitive, but Arkansas fans are tired of being competitive. They want to win and maybe someday bring home a second championship. Unfortunately, Arkansas is years away from even getting into the playoffs let alone winning a National Championship.

The 2025 Season begins August, 30 in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium against Alabama A&M.