Arkansas' Pittman plans in-state recruiting push in January

2023 TE Shamar Easer and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman.

If you are an Arkansas high school football coach, expect to see Razorback head coach Sam Pittman or one of his assistants soon.

That’s something that Pittman stressed during his Wednesday press conference introducing his 2022 early signing class.

“It's very important and to be honest with you, really in general, we've been in the state but not like we need to be in all honesty,” Pittman said. “And it's been because you know, we didn't get the (recruiting) spring (in 2021). And so this January we're gonna make a huge push in our state just to meet coaches and go around.”

Arkansas used the December two-week contact period to shore up its 2022 early signing class, which ended up ranked 12th nationally by Rivals and 18th by ESPN and 247 Sports composite ranking. 

While still focusing on some 2022 spots now available with seven former Razorbacks having entered the transfer portal, Arkansas will be able to see 2023 prospects when the current dead period is over on Jan. 13.

“Now you know you have the two, two-and-a-half week window in there were you have to go see your guys that are getting ready to sign you know what I mean? Pittman noted. “I think the state, we'll show the state a little bit more than what we have now how much we appreciate them whenever the January period comes.”

Arkansas signed 10 of the 13 prospects it offered in the 2022 class with both being higher numbers the normal.

The Razorbacks have offered four players so far in the 2023 class with Ashdown four-star tight end Shamar Easter (6-5, 225) and Bentonville three-star offensive lineman Joey Su’a (6-4, 319) having already committed to Arkansas.

The other in-state juniors offered so far as El Dorado wide receiver Deaundra Burns (5-10, 160) and Little Rock Parkview tailback/linebacker Derian Bennett (6-1, 220), who sit out this season due to an eligibility issue.

In addition to Easter and Su’a, Arkansas has 2023 pledges from four-star tight end Jaden Hamm (6-6, 225) of Eudora, Kan., and three-star wide receiver Anthony Evans (6-0, 170) of Coppell, Texas. 

That is a 2023 group ranked fifth nationally by Rivals, sixth by ESPN and eighth by 247 Sports.

Some other in-state juniors with Division I offers are Newport wide receiver Isaiah Kendall, Star City athlete CJ Turner,   Little Rock Parkview athlete Willie Eckles, Bentonville tailback Josh Ficklin, Dewitt offensive lineman Will Moss, Shiloh Christian quarterback Eli Wisdom, and Malvern quarterback Cedric Simmons.

Arkansas is thought to be the leader for a pair of Texas junior prospects in Fort Worth Nolan Catholic defensive end Kaleb James (6-4, 250) and Temple defensive back Naten Mitchell (5-11, 175).

The Razorbacks also have a 2024 pledge in Hot Spring Lakeside tailback Braylen Russell (6-1, 225) and have issued an offer to Malvern offensive lineman Vinny Winters (6-4, 290).

Arkansas’ 8-4 regular season was clearly important in getting Fayetteville wideout Isaiah Sategna to flip from Oregon and in adding a pair of December transfers in former Oklahoma wide receiver Jadon Hasewood (6-2, 203) and LSU defensive tackle Landon Jackson (6-5, 275).

Sategna was one of three flips in the class with Duncanville, Texas, linebacker Jordan Crook (Oklahoma State) and Clarendon wide receiver Quincy McAdoo (Florida State) deciding to be Razorbacks.

“…We proved that they could be proud of the Razorbacks,” Pittman said. “We’re nowhere where we need to be, I’m not saying that. But I think we’re a lot better than where we were two years ago. That’s helped our recruiting, and they came back to us to see that they could experience bowls and things of that nature, which they weren’t quite able to do before.”

Pittman is also well aware of how the Name, Image and Likeness compensation for athletes will play into recruiting, even it it is technically not suppose to do so.

“Well, I mean, let’s face the facts,” Pittman said. “It’s certainly going that way. I read the U of Texas had every offensive line guy on scholarship got X amount of dollars ($150,000). I mean, I’m not griping about it. But that’s how it’s going. Where it stops, nobody knows, you know.

“ I’m not saying I’m not for the kids. I’m saying that my mind’s got to change a little in recruiting and NIL. You’re not supposed to use NIL for recruiting. But I’m saying if you’ve got your entire offensive line that’s worth…(up) to $150,000 a man, you probably would become a little bit better recruiter I’d imagine.”