'They excite the heck out of me': Pittman expects good things from line

Arkansas offensive tackle Ty'Kieast Crawford (53) blocks during a practice Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman spoke in glowing terms about his offensive line during an SEC Network appearance Wednesday in Atlanta.

The Razorbacks return four linemen who started at least 10 games last year, including every-game starters Ricky Stromberg at center and Brady Latham at left guard. Also back is right tackle Dalton Wagner, who missed three games after undergoing finger surgery, and right guard Beaux Limmer, an 11-game starter. 

Left tackle Myron Cunningham is the only primary starter Arkansas must replace from last season’s team that allowed 30 sacks and paved the way for 2,961 rushing yards. The Razorbacks ranked seventh nationally in rushing and first among teams in a Power 5 conference. 

“I was an O-line coach for a long, long time,” Pittman said, “and never was able to lead Power 5 in rushing, but we were able to do that last year.”

Tackles Luke Jones and Ty’Kieast Crawford were linemen who Pittman identified as having expanded roles this year. Jones, a Notre Dame transfer who battled Latham for the left guard spot last year, is being evaluated as a replacement for Cunningham at left tackle. 

The 6-5, 347-pound Crawford played in every game last season, primarily on special teams, after transferring from North Carolina-Charlotte. 

“Ty’Kieast Crawford is going to be a guy that's going to play somewhere in there,” Pittman said. “This guy is an exceptional football player and had a great offseason.”

Those comments echoed Pittman's sentiments about Crawford during the spring when he said, “There’s a lot of teams that can win a lot of games with Ty’Kieast Crawford. He’s a good player; I mean, like a legit SEC-good player.” 

Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles also spoke well of Crawford during his post-spring analysis that was published in Hawgs Illustrated. 

"We are really proud of his growth and maturity this spring," Briles said. "I would not have felt very good about him coming out of fall camp to say he was going to be a starter, but after this spring I do. I feel really good about his knowledge and what he’s done with his body. He just needs to continue to progress over the summer. He’s going to be a really good player."

Crawford is likely to push Wagner for playing time at right tackle, but has also worked as a guard in practice and could potentially play left tackle if needed. Wagner has 28 career starts, but has missed playing time due to various injuries, including one to his back.

Pittman also praised the leadership of Stromberg and offensive line coach Cody Kennedy, who received a hefty pay raise to $700,000 during the offseason after he was approached about the vacant offensive line job at Georgia. Kennedy was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award last year. 

“Four of the five (starters) are coming back with all the running backs, and of course the No. 1 rusher we had was (returning quarterback) KJ Jefferson,” Pittman said. “They excite the heck out of me. They’ve got a great coach in Cody Kennedy.”