Not scheduling spring game never an option for Sam Pittman

FAYETTEVILLE — Several schools around the nation have opted to do away with spring games, but not Arkansas’ Sam Pittman.

While previewing the spring football drills on Thursday, Pittman also was asked if he ever considered not holding a spring game?

” No, I never — I don’t know what the factors are,” Pittman said. “If someone is going to poach your player, they ain’t waiting on the spring game to look at it. They already got him. I mean, the agents already worked for three, four weeks of calling this team, this team, well how much you going to give him, well that’s not enough because I’ve got this much from — that’s already been in the works, so I don’t know that the spring game is going to cost you a player or not. So, that didn’t. The other thing too, I think we owe the state of Arkansas the opportunity to come see their team play. So, nah, it never crossed my mind. The other thing is, I think you can get better. When people are in the seat, you find out a little more about your team. The spring game is a way to get people in the seats and see what we really have out there.”

Pittman also talked about the benefits of not having a spring game on television.

“I don’t see a benefit of having it on…Yeah, I do,” Pittman said. “The only benefit would be they want to talk to me out there, and while I’m out there, there are words being said on TV, plays being called, defenses being called, another chance to steal signals, all that kind of stuff. To me, that would be more important not televising the spring game than for any other reason, because, like I said, the portal opens on the 15th, the spring game is on the 19th, and by the time the 19th gets here, whomever is going to go on the portal is already in it. Now, can they come steal guys from the spring game? I don’t think so, because I think they already know about the guys and who they’re trying to poach anyway. But the benefit to me would be more of…because we watch every spring game of every team we play, but it’s more we’re trying to get more than just what we’re seeing, if that makes sense.”

Pittman also listed some players he’s expecting leadership from this spring particularly among the new players.

“As proud as I am of what we’ve done offensive line-wise, that’s still (Fernando) Carmona and (Keyshawn) Blackstock has done a really good job with that too,” Pittman said. “Running back, I wouldn’t say there’s a guy sticking out. Wide receiver (Raylen) Sharpe, “O’Mega) Blake, (Kam) Shanks, CC (Courtney Crutchfield), those guys, they’re different now. They really are. (Tight end) Rohan Jones, he would the guy. Let me see, who am I leaving out now that sticks out, you know, like (running back) Mike Washington, a hard, hardworking kid, but he doesn’t say much, you know. I don’t care. I mean he can say stuff all over that, he doesn’t have to say a word, you know, but he works at extremely hard. Defensively, the new guy that’s coming in, (safety) Caleb Wooden, he’s a guy that’s got that about him and (cornerback) Kani Walker. Both of those guys I think are probably maybe a little ahead of some of the other guys as far as leadership.”

Arkansas will begin spring drills on Monday. They will hold six practices before taking a week off for spring break. The spring game on April 19 will begin at 1 p.m.