Tag: landon jackson

Sam Pittman remains impressed with Arkansas defensive line

Defensive line has traditionally been a weak spot at Arkansas, but Deke Adams and Sam Pittman appear to have changed that in 2023.

Defensive line has traditionally been weak area for Arkansas football during the modern era of college football (circa 2000). A lot of legendary defensive linemen have come through the program in that time, but it’s been tough for the Razorbacks to field a deep, experienced and top-tier group up front.

However, that has changed for 2023.

Arkansas’ defensive line is easily one of the most experienced and, more importantly, the deepest groups up front that in recent memory. One thing that [autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag] and [autotag]Deke Adams[/autotag] wanted to do this offseason was build quality depth up front.

[autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag], who represented the team at SEC Media Days, and [autotag]Zach Williams[/autotag] are two of the only major contributors from last year’s D-line to return this year.

Outside of those guys, Pittman and Adams had to hit the transfer portal really hard to fill out the rest of the defensive line and were extremely successful in doing that. At the ends they brought in [autotag]John Morgan III[/autotag] (Pittsburgh) and [autotag]Trajan Jeffcoat[/autotag] (Missouri) – both seniors.

On the interior, Anthony Booker aka [autotag]Tank Booker[/autotag] (Maryland) was a major addition. He had 25 tackles, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two sacks in 2022. [autotag]Keivie Rose[/autotag] (Lousiana Tech) was a late addition but another important piece. Rose earned first team All-Conference USA in 2022.

There’s also some really talented underclassmen that haven’t played much but will play a role in the defensive line this year. Jashaud Stewart returns but only played sparingly last season. Taurean Carter missed all of 2022 with a torn ACL but is back for this year. Cameron Ball provides depth inside, Nico Davillier provides depth as an edge rusher and Eric Gregory can play at either position.

The Razorbacks are three-deep across the defensive line – on the interior and at the ends. Arkansas will also have nine scholarship seniors on the defensive line this season. The size up front is also something that sticks out, as this group just looks like an elite-level defensive front and Pittman agrees.

“We’re big. They run well and play well together,” said Pittman following the first practice of fall camp. “It starts out at the ends. We’re huge at defensive end right now and guys can run.

But I was mostly looking at some of the new guys in indy (individual group drills) and we’re big. All of those guys can move. Certainly that will help us in the run.”

Across the board, this might just be the best this position group has been at Arkansas in modern history. It has the potential to be. If the Razorbacks hope to rekindle some of the magic and success of the 2021 season, the defensive line is going to play a massive role in that.

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Arkansas’ Landon Jackson names Texas A&M as his favorite matchup of 2023

While speaking at SEC media days, Arkansas DL Landon Jackson mentioned Texas A&M and the Southwest Classic as his favorite matchup of 2023.

One of the best parts of SEC media days is the player representatives, with Texas A&M sending Ainias Smith, McKinnley Jackson, and Fadil Diggs to this year’s festivities. Among the student-athletes in appearance was defensive lineman Landon Jackson, who transferred to Arkansas in 2022 from LSU.

When asked what game on the 2023 schedule he’s looking forward to, Jackson named Arkansas’ September 30 matchup versus Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in what has been aptly dubbed the “Southwest Classic.” The sheer atmosphere of the matchup, in which the stadium’s 80,000 capacity features a bevy of fans from both schools, played a role in Jackson’s answer:

“I’d say that A&M game at AT&T, I love that…it’s right in the middle so you’re getting all the A&M fans, all the Arkansas (fans)…it’s a home game for both teams, practically. It kind of gives you that…high school setting in that both teams have their fans there. And I like that, it’s just a high school setting with a hundred thousand more fans.”

Jackson’s comments about the Southwest Classic carry weight beyond the atmosphere and the outcome on the field, as for a moment, there was speculation that this year’s matchup could, in fact, be the last to take place at AT&T Stadium. In the weeks leading up to Texas A&M’s schedule release, it was understood that if these two foes didn’t meet in 2024, then the 2023 Southwest Classic would contractually be the last matchup to take place in Arlington.

However, with the Razorbacks on the Aggies’ 2024 schedule as a neutral site opponent, the SEC agreed that it would be A&M’s home game and that it would be played at AT&T Stadium to fulfill that last year of the contract.

Texas A&M’s series with Arkansas began as a non-conference affair in 2009 at AT&T Stadium via an arrangement between both schools and the Dallas Cowboys. Arlington has hosted the classic every year since (with lone exceptions being 2012 and 2013). The payout for both teams equated to that of a bowl game, hence the motivation for the neutral site.

The Razorbacks won the first three games since the series resumed in 2009. Since then, the Aggies have had Arkansas’ number, having taken 10 of the last 11 matchups, including last year’s 23-21 win in Week 3.

As Texas A&M looks to start the 2023 campaign off strong, their matchup versus Arkansas will mark their second opponent in SEC play, following their September 23 matchup at home against Auburn. The Aggies’ first three opponents on the schedule are New Mexico, Miami, and ULM.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.

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Added bulk only going to be a plus for Jackson

Landon Jackson put on 45 pounds in the offseason to really look like a SEC defensive end, in his words.

When reading through tweets about Razorback players going through the media rounds, one stood out from the state’s leading columnist.

The last line, Landon Jackson has gained 44 pounds. That’s not an insignificant amount of weight in the slightest.

Last time the Razorbacks played a game, back in December, the Texarkana native weighed in at 238 pounds.

Now the 6’7 defensive end is 283 pounds.

“Most of it is good weight,” Jackson said. “I’m moving faster than I’ve have and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. I feel comfortable with my body and I’m ready for the season to begin.”

He spoke to the importance of new strength coach Ben Sowders stressing the little things.

“A lot of cleans, a lot of squats,” Jackson said. “We do a lot of explosive workouts as well. A lot of jumping. The eating habits are the key though. A lot of steak, a lot of grilled chicken.”

Jackson also gave a nice salute to the departed Ryan Mallett after growing up idolizing him in Texarkana.

PHOTO GALLERY: Arkansas at SEC Media Days 2023

PHOTO GALLERY: A look at Arkansas’ assembled crew making the rounds on Wednesday in Nashville.

KJ Jefferson, Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders and Landon Jackson got their time to shine in Nashville on Wednesday as part of the annual gathering of media.

All three players talked to a host of reporters, bloggers, radio hosts and TV talking heads.

Sam Pittman was also along for the ride.

Take a look and soak it in with just a month and a half until the football season starts.

Pittman announces the trio he’s taking to Media Days next week

KJ, Rocket and defensive end Landon Jackson will be accompanying Sam Pittman to Media Days next week in Nashville.

Our editor speculated on who Sam Pittman would be taking with him to Nashville next week for SEC Media Days.

We found out on Monday, as Pittman unveiled that it would be [autotag]KJ Jefferson[/autotag], [autotag]Raheim Sanders[/autotag] and [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag].

Arkansas will be featured on Wednesday with Alabama, Florida and Kentucky.

Monday will be led off by LSU, Missouri and Texas A&M, while Tuesday’s teams are Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

The final day, Thursday, July 20, will see Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee.

All of the festivities will be broadcast on both ESPN and SEC Network. Commissioner Greg Sankey will lead off on Monday with commentary before the first set of teams are introduced to the media.

Arkansas spring football: Defensive end group mixes new and old

Arkansas lost its two top sack artists from last year, but the defensive end group may be even better in 2023.

Quick, dear Arkansas fan: Name the leading sack artist the Razorbacks have returning in 2023.

Answering that question correctly, if you did, probably wasn’t an immediate act. Drew Sanders and his 9 1/2 sacks are off to the NFL. Jordan Domineck initially said he would return, but he took his 7 1/2 to Deion Sanders in Colorado.

The answer: Zach Williams. A career part-time starter and situational defensive end, Williams has had the talent to get regular duty up front for Arkansas since he arrived on campus. Now ready for his fifth year, he’ll continue sharing rotations, but this time with a crew coach Sam Pittman thinks will do the most damage yet.

Pittman went out of his way to name, specifically, Williams, Jashaud Stewart, Nico Davillier, John Morgan and Trajan Jeffcoat. The standout, though, has been Landon Jackson. The LSU transfer has put so much pressure on quarterback KJ Jefferson during drills, Arkansas’ beleaguered secondary has looked dynamite this spring.

Arkansas finished last in FBS in yards passing allowed per game in 2022, even with a team that finished sixth in the nation in sacks. Continuing that pressure up front will go a long way in helping the defensive backfield improve.

But don’t expect regular 1s and 2s, so to speak. Williams, Stewart, Jeffcoat and Jackson appear to be the primary top four defensive ends with Morgan and Davillier getting occasional reps.

The Hogs have been in worse spots, certainly, even if no proverbial big dog has proven himself during the season yet.

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Tracking how every LSU transfer fared in 2022

Here’s how LSU transfers fared around the country in 2022.

The modern era of college football is full of transfers.

Most big programs are going to see several come and go each year, and LSU has been no exception. Considering the Tigers just went through a coaching transition, they might even have lost more than your average team.

We saw a few transfers go on to have major success this year, such as [autotag]Trey Palmer[/autotag] at Nebraska. Here is a look at how LSU transfers fared in 2022. These aren’t just guys that left last year, but anyone that left the program in the last few years and saw action this fall.

At the end, we’ll look at the takeaways and evaluate who LSU is probably wishing it kept and who just needed to go their separate ways.

Greg Brooks Jr. and Joe Foucha set to face former team on Saturday

Both LSU and Arkansas will see some old friends on Saturday.

The introduction of the transfer portal has made facing your old team much more common at the college level.

What used to be left to the pros is now seen throughout the NCAA. LSU’s matchup with Arkansas will feature a couple of old friends for each squad.

After spending several years in Fayetteville, defensive backs [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag] landed at LSU to finish their careers in their home state of Louisiana.

Foucha played 2,323 snaps with Arkansas before transferring to LSU. While seeing a player face his former team isn’t that rare anymore, seeing a guy who played that much with that old team might be. Brooks is up there too, having played 1,734 snaps with the Razorbacks.

The former connections between these programs don’t end there. LSU will be seeing a couple of former Tigers this weekend.

[autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag] and [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag] both earned starting roles with the Razorbacks after leaving LSU.

McGlothern is having a good year for the Hogs. Teams are throwing his way a lot, but he has a completion percentage below 50 when targeted. According to PFF, he’s second among SEC cornerbacks in passer rating when targeted.

Jackson was a blue-chip edge rusher out of high school but has yet to emerge as one of the SEC’s top pass rushers. Only three SEC edge rushers that have played 150 pass-rush snaps have a worse PFF pass-rush grade than Jackson.

On the coaching side, it’ll be [autotag]Brad Davis[/autotag]’ first trip back to Arkansas since taking the LSU job. Davis, now the offensive line coach at LSU and a Baton Rouge native, was on Sam Pittman’s staff prior to joining LSU in the summer of 2021.

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Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Four Razorbacks earn spot on On3’s Transfer Portal weekly power rankings

Arkansas is getting a great return on its transfer portal investment, as proven on the field each week.

Whenever a College Football program dips into the transfer portal to recruit talent for their roster, it is always seen as a risk.

In the case of Arkansas Football, they have proven every week during the 2022 season that they have invested well.

Through three games, Arkansas has gotten valuable production from six players that were brought into the program from the transfer portal, and four of them have been listed on On3’s Transfer Portal power rankings, which are updated weekly.

Linebacker [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag], cornerback [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag], as well as defensive linemen [autotag]Jordan Domineck[/autotag] and [autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag] are all honored by On3 this week for their immediate impact for the Razorback defense.

Each of the above-mentioned players is listed in their respective position’s power rankings, but Drew Sanders leads the pack by being listed in the outlet’s overall power rankings, checking in at No. 5 this week.

Sanders has already eclipsed his numbers from his two seasons at Alabama in just three games. He enters week four with 28 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Here is a rundown of where Arkansas’ key transfer land in this week’s power rankings.

“Who is Jordan Domineck?” Arkansas fans know the unheralded transfer now

Jordan Domineck wasn’t prepared for Arkansas’ intensity when he first arrived. He sure is now.

Drew Sanders. Dwight McGlothern. Latavious Brini. Landon Jackson Jr. Alabama. LSU. Georgia.

Arkansas picked up its fair share of impact players from the transfer portal in the offseason. All four of the aforementioned played in the SEC, at powerhouse schools (LSU wasn’t a powerhouse last year, but you get it). One name slid a bit under the radar, though.

Not anymore.

Jordan Domineck is a big reason the Razorbacks lead the country in sacks. The Georgia Tech transfer has four, second on the team behind Sanders. And he’s doing it from a reserve spot.

Coach Sam Pittman recruited him for a reason, after all. And the coach knew pretty quick, before he had even met him, he was getting a good one.

“His parents to be perfectly honest with you. His mannerisms over the phone,” Pittman said. “You’re phone recruiting. We never had met him before. Talking to his mom and dad, they’re classy people, wonderful people. He’s a guy that just wanted to compete in this league.”

Domineck was shell-shocked, initially, Pittman said, when he arrived in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks run their program quite a bit differently than Georgia Tech. It took a while for Domineck to adjust.

But he was a guy who had more than 70 tackles and 7 1/2 sacks his last two years with the Yellow Jackets. Once he adjusted, things would be fine.

“There wasn’t a problem at Georgia Tech,” Pittman said. “It was about ‘Look, I’ve got an opportunity to go to the SEC. I’d like to see if I’m good enough to play in the SEC.’”

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The answer through three games is a resounding ‘yes.’