When Var’keyes Gumms committed to Arkansas out of the transfer portal, he instantly went to the top of the Razorbacks’ offseason depth chart at tight end. He just didn’t stay there.
The development of Luke Hasz, a freshman from Oklahoma, was quick and provided the four-star tight end immediate starting duties. But after Hasz was lost – likely for the season – last week against Texas A&M, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is starting from scratch at the position and Gumms is hopeful to stake his true claim at the top.
“We’re going to open completely up our tight end situation and see who can play in there,” Pittman said. “Obviously we’ve been a little bit of musical chairs there, as well, with the exception of Luke (Hasz).”
Gumms is the only other tight end on the roster who has caught a pass this season, though it was just one and went for only two yards. But Ty Washington caught a touchdown last year against Kansas and Nathan Bax has been in the top three of the depth chart for the last three years.
If Pittman decides a pass-catching tight end is preferable over a blocking one, the hierarchy is likely Gumms, Washington, Bax. If a blocking one is preferred, the reverse order will likely hold.
Pittman recruited Gumms specfically out of the transfer portal and said Monday that the North Texas transfer, a Freshman All-American last year, likely only had a dearth of playing time because of Hasz’s development.
“His ability to make plays. He has it. He just has to make them,” Pittman said. “A lot of his non-playing was because of Luke. They were very similar in blocking, route-running, as far as where his assets were. I think you’ll see a good player in him.”