Highlights from Sam Pittman’s pre-spring press conference

Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman on Tuesday previewed the Razorbacks’ spring football practices, which begin Thursday morning.

Here are several notes that stood out:

• Opening statement: We just completed 7.5 weeks of training and I think we’re in really good shape. Physically, we look good. [Strength coach] Ben Sowders and his staff did a good job getting guys ready. We’ve got 39 new guys on the team. That’s the way of college football. The new guys have meshed well with returning players.

• Morning practices: We’ll see how we like it. We will have three Saturday practices that will be open to media and the public, including all scrimmages. First practice on Thursday is at approximately 8:25 a.m.

• State of the team: I like where we’re at. I think every coach in America, though, will tell you that. We have a lot of depth chart battles coming into the spring that are going to be exciting to figure out.

• Quarterback battle: I think we can have it wrapped up in the spring. There’s basically five guys vying for that spot. I think we’ve got something special in KJ Jackson for our future. I’m excited to get going with that battle.

• Injury updates: Offensive lineman Amaury Wiggins had cartilage trimmed. He may be back Sunday. Tight end Ty Washington will be able to catch some passes after spring break. He could miss the first five days. He’s coming along and is ahead of schedule with the shoulder.

Offensive lineman Andrew Chamblee “lost the love for the game” and decided to be a regular student. He’s no longer on the team. Offensive lineman Zuri Madison had a scooter accident and tore his ACL last week. He hit a curb and put his leg out straight and the ACL couldn’t handle that pressure.

Tight end Luke Hasz is back and ready to go. He’s looking good in all the running and lifting. Nothing is holding him back.

• O-line impressions: We’re moving Patrick Kutas inside. The guys from the portal have allowed us to do that. The guy I’ve been impressed with is E’Marion Harris. He’s been patient with his opportunities. I think he’s ready to move on up and he’s working like that. We did lose a lot of linemen with medical redshirts and Chamblee’s deal, but the three we got in will help us. I offered Addison Nichols (Tennessee transfer) at Georgia. Moving him to center will be a really good move for him and the team.

• Linebackers: I’m really excited about those guys with Brad Spence and Carson Dean, and Xavian Sorey (Georgia transfer) is a good player. We’ll find out what we have. I think we’re going to find we’re pretty good there. Part of the thinking with opening practices is we’re going to have some young kids and quarterbacks who haven’t played in front of people. They’ll play in front of people and it might help them and we’ll learn more about them, linebackers included.

• Fourth-down decisions: I’ve found that the faster you make the decision the more you’re going to stay with the decision. We will have the analytics available, but just because it says “go” doesn’t mean we’ll do it. I went with the numbers more last year than I went with my gut, so we’re hoping to find a happy medium.

• Quarterbacks: I want him to get more vocal. He’s got a strong arm, and it’ll be a battle with him and the quarterbacks. Taylen Green (Boise State transfer) is outgoing, has a personality. He says what he’s thinking, but not too much. He’s got a lot of respect from the team and the coaches. He’s got a good work ethic. He might have an edge on the other guys because he’s run a team before. 

• Landon Jackson’s return: I don’t think we were ever concerned with him leaving and going into the transfer portal. I think it was about leaving and going to the NFL. He always wanted to stay, but it means a lot to the program. The more kids you have like that wanting to come back, the better. It’ll help your team. Him being a captain and coming back, it was a big, big deal.

• Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s influence: Bobby runs the offense. He’s very organized, and it’s his offense. He’s very comfortable with all the calls. He’s doing great, and the guys who have come in are very excited about Bobby running the show.

• Other thoughts: We’re going to tackle to the ground, and we’re going to do it more than two or three times. … I love freshman running back Braylen Russell. He came in big, but he’s a very athletic guy. Dominique Johnson is not using a brace on his knee. … We’re big at running back. We’ve got to find out who the ace in the hole is.