Head coach Sam Pittman breathed new life into the Arkansas football program. A 9-win season in 2021 suggested an upwards trajectory that the Razorbacks hadn’t enjoyed in more than a decade. So was last year’s 7-6 season just a bump in the road?

That’s a question that will begin to be answered on Saturday when Pittman and the Razorbacks hold the annual Spring Game (noon at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium).

Here are 5 of the biggest storylines about the Razorbacks’ spring game.

1. What do the new coordinators have up their sleeves?

Pittman brings in a pair of new coordinators to run the Arkansas offense and defense.

Dan Enos returns to Fayetteville, where he called plays for the Razorbacks’ offense from 2015-17. He replaces former OC Kendal Briles, who left for TCU.

Enos will have quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Rocket Sanders to work with from an offense that produced 32.5 points per game last season.

Travis Williams comes over from UCF, where he called defensive signals for the Knights last season. The former Auburn player and later coach is one of a few new faces to the Arkansas defensive coaching staff that includes Deron Wilson (secondary) and Marcus Woodson (co-DC).

Saturday will give us our first real look at what type of influence they have had and will have on the program this season.

2. Replacing LBs Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool

How do you replace your program’s all-time leading tackler? That’s a question Pittman must answer with the departure of Bumper Pool — not to mention fellow standout LB Drew Sanders, both headed to the NFL.

It could be time for rising sophomore Chris Paul to step up his role. In addition, USF transfer Antonio Grier will be counted on to help pick up the slack.

3. Offensive line

The Arkansas offensive line will have a new look in 2023. First-team All-SEC interior lineman Beaux Limmer returns along with Brady Latham. Those 2 are stalwarts. But the other 3 spots are the question.

Ty’Kieast Crawford isn’t new to the program and should provide some experience along the line. Florida transfer Josh Braun is another prime candidate to step into a significant role. Rising sophomore Devon Manuel is another one to watch.

It will be interesting to see what kind of combinations the Razorbacks put together on Saturday.

4. Who are the playmakers at WR?

It’s more than a little concerning when your top 4 receivers are no longer on the team. That’s the dilemma Pittman and Enos face heading into Saturday and on into the 2023 season. When your leading returning receiver is a running back (Sanders), it means there’s a lot of work to do at the receiver position.

So who will Jefferson have to throw to besides Sanders out of the backfield? Well, Bryce Stephens caught 9 passes last season as a freshman. That’s the most of any returning WR. Pittman dipped into the portal for help and came up with transfers Tyrone Broden (Bowling Green), Isaac TeSlaa (Hillsdale College), and Andrew Armstrong (Texas A&M-Commerce).

Seldom used receivers Jaedon Wilson, Isaiah Sategna and Sam Mbake could see their roles greatly increased this season as well.

As with the offensive line, it should be very interesting to see what kind of combinations are used on Saturday.

5. The secondary

Arkansas had the worst pass defense in the country last season, so there’s really nowhere to go but up. All-SEC corner Dwight McGlothern returns, as does Quincey McAdoo, who moved over to defense from a WR spot late last season. A healthy LaDarrius Bishop should help.

Hudson Clark and Jayden Johnson are being counted on, along with Baylor transfers Al Walcott and Lorando Johnson.