Greg McElroy outlines Arkansas' 'legit question marks' entering spring practice
Greg McElroy realizes that at Arkansas, change is the name of the game.
On his “Always College Football” podcast, McElroy noted how the Razorbacks have had 25 players depart through graduation or the transfer portal, and they have new coordinators this season. But several of the players who departed were key figures, and some of the best in the country at their position, he said.
“A lot of question marks and a lot of turnover for Sam Pittman,” McElroy said.
One question for McElroy is the offensive system for KJ Jefferson led by new offensive coordinator Dan Enos.
“That’s one of the biggest questions that I have,” he said.
With all of the changing faces on defenses especially, Arkansas must figure out the back end after Jalen Catalon’s injury last year, McElroy said, “The secondary fell apart. … You have to make sure that secondary is shored up, because if they’re not, they’re going to get crushed again.”
McElroy noted that Arkansas appears to have made it a priority with the transfer portal.
“It does look like things are going to be OK for Arkansas, they did an adequate job of plugging some voids,” McElroy said. “But there are some legit question marks heading into this spring.”
The comments begin at about 20:31 below:
Of all the guys Arkansas lost in the portal, maybe 3 of them were actually significant losses. Arkansas added more in the portal than it lost. The schedule is more favorable next season. The two new DB coaches are significant upgrades over last year.
Enos has a track record of taking good QB’s and making them better. He certainly did that here in 2015 with Brandon Allen. I think Enos will make KJ an even better QB and that should be a scary thought for most SEC defenses.
As for the portal losses, Yankeepig is spot on. The vast majority of those who left would never have seen playing time…I would suggest that the 10-11 players we have brought in thus far are significant upgrades over the entire group of 25 or so we lost. And we will sign 8-10 more!
My only fear for this team is who we might lose to the portal after Spring Practice. We have a full RB room, some very good young receivers, and a lot of potential on the OL that we just can’t afford to lose.
Defense will be better if only because it couldn’t get much worse than 2022. Lost several close games last year, maybe four I think. If Jefferson stays healthy and the defense is in fact better by even a little bit, Hogs should win some of those close games this time around.