Sowders praises athletes as football season arrives

By Jerry Meadows

FAYETTEVILLE — In Arkansas, the only season that outshines deer and duck season is football season.

This year may be the most anticipated season in the Sam Pittman era. Coming off a disappointing season of 4-8 would cause many to question Pittman’s ability to lead the Razorbacks. However, if a coach ever addressed the problems head-on, it has been Pittman. He has not shied away from the issues facing the team or his job. His off-season efforts to overcome last year’s losing season may be Pittman’s finest hour as a head coach. We know all the coaching hires that have given the Razorbacks a new look. We also are well-versed in the player additions to the team. But where are we right now? Have the players put in the work in preparation for a great season? How are we condition-wise? What stands out the most with the 2024 version of the Arkansas Razorbacks? 

The answers to these concerns would come from the strength & conditioning coach, Ben Sowders. Headed into his second season, Coach Sowders was asked about his overall impression of how the summer workouts have gone.

“I think we had a really good summer. It was imperative to establish a competitive emphasis for the players. Many positions were filled by returning players, but the portal helped to add a lot of good talent to go along with a good recruiting class,” Coach Sowders observed. 

So competition has been huge and leadership on the team has taken major strides among the players. Where leadership was lacking in the past, a core group of leaders has emerged on both sides of the ball. From all appearances, the summer has helped to set the barometer as to what is acceptable and what is not. Accountability to one another, the coaches, and their goals for the coming season are locked in. Now all that remains is to roll the ball out and see who has the determination to refuse to lose. Coach Sowders said, “We are really pleased with where we’re at.”

When asked; “Did anybody stand out?” The coach responded, “He was very impressed with the older guys. Some of them got mileage on them, but guys like Landon Jackson, Fernando Carmona, Jayden Johnson, Hudson Clark, Andrew Armstrong, you know, Taylen Green, I could go down the list. I will say this, this is one of the best summers I’ve been a part of in my 16 years of coaching, and that’s because our young men came to work every single day. We never had a bad day.”

Coach Sowders concluded, “Our whole d-line, I can’t wait to see them play. I know they got some pub last year on the front end, but you know, Cam Ball, Eric Gregory, unbelievable. Keivie Rose. I can go on and on. Our o-line, we are really pleased with where we’re at, and now we got to go play some ball.”

The question was asked if Ian Geffrard was actually 391 lbs. and what progress he had made in the weight room. Coach said He’s down to about 382 right now, so he’s lost some weight, especially in the last two weeks. He’s been great. There’s been six or seven guys I won’t mention, but basically had two-a-days all summer long, and he’s one of them. You know, he’s a big guy, but he’s not fat. I mean, you’re looking at a dude that’s, like I said, 381 pounds, and he’s got 25% body fat, or 26. Whatever it is, you’re saying 75% of his body is muscle. That’s a lot of muscle. So he’s strong. He’s powerful, and I look for him to really make some strides here in camp, and I am excited to see what he does. 

With such optimism from Coach Sowders, it is obvious the players have utilized summer practice in getting ready for the next phase in preparing for the season opener with Arkansas-Pine Bluff. So far, every decision, every hire, and the additions to the roster are beginning to show signs of a potential surprise season.

Sowders was asked who was the fastest players on the team?

“I think last year, we had four guys that ran 22 I believe,” Sowders said. “I think we’re up to 11, some of that is obviously recruiting, some of that is development as well. We brought really good guys from the portal. I think we have 11 guys that can run 22, so we doubled that number from last year. But, I mean, you’re talking about (Tyrone) Broden, Broden can run. Andrew Armstrong can run. Let’s see, TJ Metcalf, I know Coach (Pittman) mentioned him to you guys. Some other guys hitting 22, Doneiko Slaughter hit 22 multiple times this summer. Who else? You got Dazmin James at wideout, 22.49, Tyrone Broden 22.56. Jordan Anthony at 22, he’s finally starting to get healthy going into camp so we’re looking forward to having him. He’s a world class speed guy. Taylen Green hit 22. So, we got several candidates, that’s just to mention some I have in front of me. All in all, just some numbers from our GPS. I think 23 of 59 guys that we have catapults on can run 21, so that’s roughly close to 40%.

“The biggest jump that we’ve had. 40 of the 59 guys can run 20 or higher. The tight ends can now run in the twenties. The linebackers can run in the twenties. We’ve got some that can run… (Xavian) Sorey is a 21.6, 21.7 miles per hour at linebacker at almost 230 pounds.  So 68 percent of our team can run 20 or higher, so that’s close to 70, so three-quarters of a team.  That’s doing something, but once again, all this is good and great.  Information’s awesome, but we’ve got to roll out and play some ball.”  

Being picked 14th in the SEC has not set well with anyone associated with the football team. However, such prognostications are nothing more than the opinions of a few sports analysts who know very little about the changes made here in Arkansas. Pittman knows that he has a really good team. He trusts and believes in his coaching staff. Now fall practice is upon us and it is time to put the finishing touches to what some believe will be a dangerous team to have to face in 2024.