Sam Pittman provides update on tight end Shamar Easter

FAYETTEVILLE — On Wednesday during the SEC Teleconference, Sam Pittman provided an update on redshirt freshman tight end Shamar Easter.

Easter was rated the top prospect in Arkansas in the Class of 2023 out of Ashdown Senior High. He was a consensus four-star prospect. He signed with Arkansas over South Carolina and many others. He redshirted in 2023 with the Hogs.

In the season opener Easter caught a pass for 16 yards in Arkansas’ win over UAPB. He hasn’t played since then. This week, two tight ends were removed from the team. With the departures of Var’keyes Gumms and Ty Washington many fans have wondered if Easter would get a chance for reps. Pittman answered that question.

“Probably not this season,” Pittman said. “He is going to get some looks at on special teams a little bit this week, but we like where he’s going, how he’s developing, but probably will take another year in the weight room and in spring ball, and we feel like he’ll be a fine player for us.”

Pittman addressed the tight end room more on Monday during his weekly presser. Pittman was asked if Luke Hasz and Andreas Paaske can handle the workload there?

“Well, yes, I think they can,” Pittman said. “But, you know, Maddox Lassiter has played a lot of ball so I have a lot of confidence in him. We also got Josh Street ready when we were banged up a little bit, and we’ll have a few more ideas for that position, but yes, absolutely, I think they can and I think they will. I think they showed that on Saturday, as well, and along with Lassiter. I think Lassiter’s role, we may have to give him a few more responsibilities. Maybe some on the line. We haven’t used him a lot there, but obviously we believe him because he’s played a lot of ball for us.”

Arkansas and Ole Miss will kickoff at 11 a.m. on Saturday and televised on ESPN.