FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman sounded optimistic Monday about defensive lineman John Ridgeway’s availability this weekend against No. 21 Texas.
Ridgeway, a transfer from Illinois State, did not play in the Razorbacks’ 38-17 victory over Rice on Saturday after having an appendectomy the previous weekend.
“I think Ridgeway will be able to play,” Pittman said previewing the game against the Longhorns, which is a sellout.
A 6-6, 320-pound tackle, Ridgeway is listed as a starter on Arkansas’ depth chart for Week 2. He was a regular on the Razorbacks’ first-team defensive line in preseason practices.
“He’s a big guy,” Arkansas defensive line coach Jermial Ashley said Aug. 18. “He's a solid guy in the middle. He has the type of mindset that we look for in the middle.
“Just an aggressive guy to bang and battle play in and play out.”