The Arkansas pass-rush has been subpar for a while now. But Arkansas coach Sam Pittman expects that to change in 2022.
The last time the Razorbacks defense finished in the top-half of the SEC in sacks was in 2013 when future NFLers Chris Smith and Trey Flowers were making waves at defensive end. Last year’s Arkansas team had just 25 sacks, the second worst mark in the league just in front of Vanderbilt’s nine.
And while the Hogs lost three starters off the front four in John Ridgeway, Tre Williams and Markell Utsey, they also have transfers in from LSU and Georgia Tech. Landon Jackson Jr. and Jordan Domineck should help alleviate that loss. Throw in Cam Ball and the return of Eric Gregory, Taurean Carter and Zach Williams and the Hogs should be at least as good.
Coach Sam Pittman is hoping they’ll be better.
“We need pass rushers. We’re over on our numbers at the position. We’re at 20 counting walk-ons. We need some elite pass rushers,” he said.
Zach Williams is the returning leader as his 3 1/2 sacks were third on last year’s team as a part-timer. If he can take one of the starting jobs and run with it, that total could be eclipsed. The other option is he continues as a specialist off the bench.
Either way, Pittman is right. It’s been a while since the Hogs scared anyone with their ability to get to the quarterback.