Numerous holes to fill as Hogs seek significant improvement in 2024

How’s this for a novel idea?

Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman hired an offensive coordinator to coordinate the offense. Of course, that coordinator is former Hogs head man Bobby Petrino, who — just last year — was Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator in title only.

Unlike under A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, Petrino will be playing plays for his offense.

“He’s offensive coordinator, just like KB (Kendall Briles) was. Just like Dan Enos was,” Pittman said. “He’s got a job. I don’t know how I can allow him to do a job if he’s not... if it ain’t his offense. We hired him because he’s a brilliant offensive mind. It’s his offense. … I’m always going to have input on what my feelings are on things, but he’s offensive coordinator, and that’s what he was hired to do.”

Petrino faces a tough task in adding some bite to a toothless offense that was ranked only ahead of Vanderbilt among Southeastern Conference teams. That weak offense was the major reason the Razorbacks struggled to a 4-8 finish. The offense scored 21 points or less in six of eight SEC games.

Complicating matters, three-year starting quarterback KJ Jefferson departed through the transfer portal to Central Florida.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

A year ago, Bobby Petrino was on Texas A&M’s staff with the title of Offensive Coordinator.

But Petrino went to the transfer portal to bring in quarterback Taylen Green, a productive two-year starter at Boise State.

The Razorbacks also heavily invested in the portal to rebuild a lackluster offensive line. At least three projected line starters arrived via the portal.

Though there are questions with the line, the Razorbacks look solid at skill positions.

Receiver Andrew Armstrong is back after catching 56 passes for 764 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. Sophomore Isaiah Sategna showed promise as a freshman. Also, tight end Luke Hasz was a bona fide big-play threat until a broken collar bone ended his 2023 campaign midway through the season.

Star running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders left for South Carolina, but the Razorbacks compensated by adding Ja’Quinden Jackson, who last season led Utah in rushing.

Of course, the offense was only one issue for Arkansas. The defense ranked 12th in the SEC in points allowed.

The Razorbacks expect to have a strong pass rush with Landon Jackson's return and the arrival of FCS All-American Anton Juncaj.

However, linebacker Chris Paul Jr. left for Ole Miss, safety Lorando Johnson left for Baylor, and cornerback Dwight McGlothern left for the NFL.

Clearly, several holes must be filled if the Razorbacks are to show significant improvement.

Arkansas Razorbacks

2023 record: 4-8; 1-7 in the SEC

Primary area of strength: The defensive line should be formidable. Defensive end Landon Jackson will challenge for All-SEC acclaim. DT Cameron Ball is a run-stuffer who had 32 tackles last season. FCS All-American Anton Juncaj, a defensive end transfer from Albany, had 15 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss last year.

Primary area of concern: The Razorbacks must rebuild a horrific offensive line. Last season, Arkansas allowed 47 sacks and averaged just 139 rushing yards. This with a mobile quarterback. Adding to the concern is the departure of center Bo Limmer, a sixth-round NFL Draft pick. Tackle Fernando Carmona (San Jose State), guard Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State) and guard Addison Nichols (Tennessee) arrived from the transfer portal to provide some help. But how much?

Top three players

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

A product of Texarkana’s Pleasant Grove High School, Landon Jackson was a captain on the Razorback defense last fall.

• DE Landon Jackson: The 6-foot-7, 282-pound senior posted 44 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2023.
• QB Taylen Green: Two-year starter at Boise State passed for 3,098 yards and rushed for 436 last season.
• TE Luke Hasz: Sophomore was off to a fast start as a freshman before breaking a collar bone against Texas A&M. He had 16 catches for 253 yards and three touchdowns.

Key additions

• QB Taylen Green: New/old offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino brought him in from Boise State, where he started the last two seasons.
• RB Ja’Quinden Jackson: Utah transfer rushed for 797 yards and four touchdowns last season despite ankle injuries.
• LT Fernando Carmona: A transfer from San Jose State that started 12 games and was Honorable Mention All-Mountain West last season.

Key losses

• QB KJ Jefferson: The transfer portal giveth and taketh away. Jefferson, a three-year starter, left Fayetteville for Central Florida. In his three seasons as a starter, Jefferson passed for 7,431 yards and 64 touchdowns while rushing for 1,751 yards.
• LB Chris Paul Jr.: It’s bad enough that Arkansas losing a linebacker who last season posted 74 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Making it worse, Paul transferred to Ole Miss.
• RB Raheim Sanders: A pre-season All-American in 2023, Sanders struggled with his health and only rushed for 209 yards. But he gained 1,443 rushing yards in 2022. He could still be among the nation’s most explosive backs. If he is, it will be for South Carolina.

2024 Arkansas schedule

• Aug. 29 vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff (at Little Rock)
• Sept. 7 at Oklahoma State
• Sept. 14 vs. UAB
• Sept. 21 at Auburn
• Sept. 28 vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington)
• Oct. 5 vs. Tennessee
• Oct. 19 vs. LSU
• Oct. 26 at Mississippi State
• Nov. 2 vs. Ole Miss
• Nov. 16 vs. Texas
• Nov. 23 vs. Louisiana Tech
• Nov. 30 at Missouri