Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman
• Pittman says the preseason will be much different this year because of time constraints, but he says the walkthrough practices have helped compensate for some of that.
• On a 10-game SEC schedule, Pittman said he won't have any input on the two new teams. "It is what it is. That's what our conference is." He said the new opponents won't be revealed to coaches for another "day or two."
• Pittman said the players want to play. "When we told them...there was going to be a season, they were ecstatic. When you work toward something, you want to reap the benefits."
• Pittman said Blayne Toll was moved from tight end to defensive end. "We thought he could help us over there after watching him run over there and seeing what his size was." He said there have been some subtle changes on the offensive line, but didn't give more details.
• Pittman called the walkthrough practices "outstanding" in terms of being able to teach. "It hasn't been spring ball because you can't hit...but the mental part has been probably better than what spring ball would be."
• Pittman said he is trying to develop at least three centers. Ricky Stromberg and Ty Clary have worked at center in walkthroughs, but Pittman notes there haven't been pads on yet.
• Pittman said the six-week preseason would include three practices the first two weeks, five practices the third week, four practices the fourth week and five practices the final two weeks. Sunday will be off each week, one of two mandated off days.
• The offensive linemen are bigger, but Pittman said he has been pleased with their agility. "We needed a bigger football team, but I think if you look at our team we do have speed."
• He says team leaders have been Devin Bush, Montaric Brown, Jarques McClellion, Jerry Jacobs, Bumper Pool, Levi Draper, Xavier Kelly and John Marshall on defense; Feleipe Franks, Rakeem Boyd, Myron Cunningham and Dalton Wagner on offense.
• On lack of positive covid-19 numbers among the team personnel, Pittman said he is "ecstatic" about how the team has handled the situation.
• Jaqualin McGee is not on the Razorbacks' team, Pittman said. No more reason was given. EDIT: Pittman came back and said McGee doesn't want to play football anymore and it led to Blayne Toll's position change.
• Pittman said he doesn't have an answer yet on what a base defense will be. "I don't know if we know what we are yet. Do you have three outstanding players to run a three-man front?...Right now we're running multiple defenses because in all honesty I think that's what we're going to run." He said multiple looks have been shown throughout Barry Odom's career.
• On the offensive line, Pittman said he hopes to have a starting five identified two-and-a-half weeks before the first game. He said the rest of the combinations will "swing" throughout the season.
• Pittman said he's not sure what the status is regarding fans at games this year, but he says it could be advantageous for the visiting team if there are fewer or no fans at games.
• As of now, Pittman said he has not had any players express concern about playing this season.
• On the QBs, Pittman said all have done a nice job running the offense. He said it's too early to talk about mechanics. "Kendal Briles' offense is not that hard to learn, it's just fast. You need to understand the ins and outs."
• Pittman said he has been pleased with the running back group, linebackers, secondary and offensive line. He said more depth is needed at receiver. He said it is hard to evaluate too much because players haven't practiced normally yet. Practices have been limited to walkthroughs.
• Pittman said the team is using face shields. Those have also been called splash shields.
• Who can hang onto the ball? Who can tackle? Those are questions that can't be answered yet because there has not been contact.
• Pittman is complimenting Jonathan Marshall again, as well as Isaiah Nichols and Xavier Kelly. He said he likes the size and knowledge and agility of the linemen.
• Pittman called Feleipe Franks "a grown man, mature." He said he is approaching the season well and it's good to have someone with his experience at the position. "I did not say he's won the starting job...but we're awful glad he's on our football team."
• Pittman said he is pleased with recruiting so far. He said it's hard because of the teams Arkansas competes against for players.
• Dorian Gerald "really, really looks good," and has good foot speed and should be a leader, Pittman said.
• Pittman said that in the event he is quarantined, Barry Odom would be the team's acting head coach. There are contingency plans across the board, including among the players. "That's why everyone is getting the same amount of reps right now."