Tag: Luke Hasz

Ranking Taylen Green and/or KJ Jefferson’s targets for 2024

Nearly everyone will be back for Arkansas at wide receiver and tight end. Is that a good thing for the Hogs?

This list very well could change by fall camp.

But with a majority of Arkansas’ wide receivers and tight ends having already announced their return from 2023 into 2024, the two primary positions that will line up for passes from KJ Jefferson, Taylen Green or Jacolby Criswell next year for the Razorbacks appear to be the most stable in during the crazy season that is transfer portal time.

Arkansas landed Green, a transfer from Boise State, on Monday evening, providing for some competition under center when the spring rolls around. It remains to be seen if Green’s addition is an indicator of Jefferson’s status. Arkansas’ all-time leading passer was not expected to return to the team in 2024 for a super-senior season, but as each day has passed without his official entry to the portal, the question of that status grows.

But whether it’s Jefferson, Green or Criswell, who played well in garbage-time duty for the Hogs in the fall, throwing passes, the corps catching them is almost all set. Or close to it.

The Razorbacks could land another wideout or two via the portal, but as of now, they have a full complement of players at the spot. And, frankly, it doesn’t look much different than last year’s.

Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends on perspective. For now, let’s rank them, regardless of position, when it comes to likelihood they will be big-time targets for whoever is tossing them balls next regular season.

Luke Hasz, Jaylon Braxton named Freshman All-Americans

Hasz played in just five games for Arkansas, but was so good he was named Freshman Tight End of the Year.

Luke Hasz was the best first-year tight end in the country.

And he only played in five games.

The Razorbacks’ tight end was named Freshman Tight End of the Year and a  first-team Freshman All-American by College Football Network on Thursday. Hasz had 16 catches for 253 yards over his 17 quarters of action during his first collegiate season.

He was joined as Freshman All-American by teammate Jaylon Braxton, a cornerback. Braxton was named honorable mention after his first year at Arkansas in which he finished with 20 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and eight pass break-ups.

Hasz was lost for the season in Arkansas’ Week 5 loss to Texas A&M when he broke his collarbone in the first quarter. He will be recovered from the injury by the spring and should team with Ty Washington to give Arkansas plenty of pass-catching from the spot in 2024.

Arkansas down to third- and fourth-stringers at tight end against Auburn

Things are so slim at the position, Arkansas will have to bring up a walk-on from the scout to fill a hole.

Arkansas had the players, but not the coach for most of the 2023 season. Then, Saturday against Florida, both came.

Now, with Auburn on slate, the fear is that the Razorbacks have the coach, but not the players as injuries stack.

Head coach Sam Pittman said tight end Ty Washington would almost certainly be out for the rest of the season because of a dislocated shoulder. Washington was already filling in for freshman Luke Hasz, whose first year of college football had made him a danger to opposing defenses just a few games in.

“We’re going to move Hunter Talley up (from the scout team),” Pittman said of his depth chart at tight end. “We’ve got some opportunities with Easter and Lassiter. I just think in this short period of time, Hunter Talley knows the offense better than the other fellas do.”

Easter is a four-star freshman from inside the Natural State and Arkansas hopes he develops like Hasz and will provide the Razorbacks a two-headed threat at the position in future years. Talley is a walk-on from Siloam Springs.

Most likely Talley won’t play against Auburn, considering Francis Sherman, Var’keeyes Gumms and Nathan Bax have been ahead of him on the hierarchy this season and have logged time already. But that trio also has limitations, something that shouldn’t be much of a surprise when a team is down to their third- and fourth-string options.

Still, Pittman said Talley will get the go against the Tigers and could surprise.

“He’s really looked good on the scout team, as well, so we’ll move up to be No. 4 there.”

Hasz has broken clavicle that will probably end his season

A disappointing season got even more disappointing when learning that Luke Hasz has a broken clavicle that will undoubtedly end his season.

Luke Hasz appeared to be picking up right where he left off in Baton Rouge on Saturday when he caught his first pass for a first down.

The problem is he landed awkwardly on his clavicle and broke it, relegating him to the locker room.

If it ends the highly-touted freshman’s season after just five games, he caught 15 passes for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Var’Keyes Gumms, a transfer from North Texas, caught his first pass of the season in replacing Hasz, a 2-yarder in the third quarter.

Gumms and Nathan Bax will most likely see extended time the remainder of the season.

Freshman Shamar Easter was a candidate to redshirt, but may be pressed into duty as a result of Hasz’s injury.

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M: How to Watch, Listen and Stream

Today’s Razorbacks-Aggies game will be aired on the SEC Network at 11 a.m.

After kicking off the season with a pair of wins, the Arkansas has fallen in their last two games, after relinquishing the lead in each.

The Razorbacks looked much more efficient on offense in last week’s last-second 34-31 loss at LSU.

Arkansas will be facing off with former Head Coach Bobby Petrino, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Aggies.

Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman is in his fourth season with an overall record of 21-19, and 10-17 in the SEC.

How to Watch:

  • Date: Saturday, September 30
  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • TV Channel: SEC Network and ESPN+
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)
  • Radio: Aired across the state on the Razorback Sports Network, or get the radio stream FREE on the Arkansas Razorbacks app.

Receiving corps was a bright spot in Baton Rouge

Arkansas caught nearly everything KJ Jefferson threw on Saturday night against No. 12 LSU. It just wasn’t quite enough to pull off the upset.

Arkansas couldn’t have asked much more from its pass catchers on Saturday night in Death Valley.

KJ Jefferson threw the ball 31 times and completed 21 of those passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns.

He was picked off twice (the second was a desperation pass downfield as time expired) but all in all, his receivers did their job.

Andrew Armstrong was targeted by Jefferson six times. He caught all six for 76 yards. Isaac Teslaa was targeted five times and he caught three balls for 31 yards.

Tyrone Broden was targeted six times. He caught three passes for 31 yards and the impressive touchdown in the back of the end zone near the end of the first half.

Luke Hasz and Rashad Dubinion, despite being a tight end and running back, respectively, were targeted by Jefferson ten times and they caught nine of those for 151 yards and Hasz scored twice.

“I think we’re doing a really good job with our wideouts,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “There was a time KJ had already decided to throw the ball away, but Andrew Armstrong did a nice job in the end zone getting open. I think we’re doing a really good job with the scramble drill. Luke himself catches the ball incredible and he can run. We continue to work on his blocking, but he’s a big-time weapon running routes and we’re adding stuff for him each week.”

Behind the Numbers: A closer look at Arkansas’ 34-31 loss to LSU

Looking at the numbers from Arkansas’ loss to LSU shows there’s hope that things can turn around.

For the second straight week, the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-1 SEC) falls short in a one-possession game.

There was a lot of positives to take away from their 34-31 loss to No. 12 LSU on Saturday night. For starters, the highly-criticized offensive line played much better and that translated to an improvement in the Arkansas running game.

[autotag]KJ Jefferson[/autotag] was able to showcase is ability on a big stage and prove that he deserves recognition as one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks. [autotag]Luke Hasz[/autotag] became a household name and [autotag]Rashod Dubinion[/autotag] took advantage of an increased workload.

With those positives, there were also plenty of things that continue to keep the Hogs from taking that next step and winning close games. Let’s view Saturday’s night 34-31 loss in Baton Rouge by going “Behind the Numbers” and take a closer look at some important statistics.

Arkansas comes alive, falls short against No. 12 LSU

Arkansas played its best game of the season, but LSU’s offense was too much.

LSU scored on a 20-yard field goal with five seconds left to beat Arkansas, 34-31, on Saturday night.

Arkansas tied the game twice in the fourth quarter before the Tigers took the permanent lead. Quarterback KJ Jefferson connected with Luke Hasz with 14:11 left to tie the game at 24 then again with 5:06 left to make it 31-all.

The Tigers went 72 yards in 5:01 on the drive after Hasz’s second score to practically end things. LSU scored touchdowns on each of its four drives in the second half.

Jefferson’s Hail Mary was intercepted at the LSU 20 to end the game.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels was 20 of 29 for 320 yards with four touchdowns to lead the Tigers.

Jefferson nearly matched him, going 21 of 31 for 289 yards with three touchdowns.

Arkansas’ next game is Week 5 in Arlington, Texas, against Texas A&M. Kick is set for 11 a.m.

WATCH: Jefferson finds Hasz for second time in 4th as Hogs tie LSU again

Arkansas and LSU, just like everyone predicted, down to the wire.

Luke Hasz is KJ Jefferson’s favorite target.

Not exactly a small feat for a freshman tight end.

Hasz caught his second touchdown of the game, second touchdown of the fourth quarter, with 5:06 left as Arkansas tied LSU for the second time in the quarter, this time at 31 apiece.

Arkansas barely had that chance as it appeared the Hogs were in a 4th-and-18 just before. But a roughing-the-quarterback penalty on LSU’s Harold Perkins kept the Razorbacks’ drive going.

On the very next play, Jefferson stayed alive in the pocket and found Hasz on the left sideline for the score.

Jefferson was 21 of 30 for 289 yards with three touchdowns to that point. Hasz had six receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

WATCH: KJ Jefferson keeps Arkansas alive with 59-yard TD in 4th quarter

Jefferson found his favorite target, freshman tight end Luke Hasz for the touchdown and the two-point conversion to tie things.

KJ Jefferson was feeling the heat again. He stepped up in the pocket and rolled right. The LSU defense had to keep their eyes on him. He is KJ Jefferson after all.

Instead, Jefferson, with eyes up the whole time, found tight end Luke Hasz down wide open down the sideline for a 49-yard touchdown to pull Arkansas within two points, 24-22, with 14:11 left in the game.

On the next play, Jefferson connected with Hasz for two points to tie things.

The touchdown was Jefferson’s second of the game and was Arkansas’ first since LSU had tacked on the previous three to take the 24-16 lead in the third quarter.

Jefferson was 18 for 25 passing for 217 yards with another 43 yards rushing to that point.