Pittman is in love with his roster, decries ’poaching’

Sam Pittman, the football coach at the University of Arkansas, announced that he had finished the exit interviews with the players this week.

This marks the end of a lengthy process that will determine which players will return to the program and who will be able to access the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Monday.

According to Pittman, he conducted the interviews on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday before meeting with the staff at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday to discuss hiring.

Pittman stated, “I got through however many it was, maybe 100 guys or maybe a little more,” at the news conference with Bobby Petrino, the new offensive coordinator, on Thursday. “Well, we’re done. You mention the portal and other similar topics.

“I’m pretty happy with where the football team is right now, but obviously things may change because of how fluid communication is between coaches and phone conversations, among other things. This is a fantastic university in a fantastic setting.”

Pittman celebrated the launch of the new NIL collaboration for the athletic department.

“Arkansas Edge is helping us tremendously,” he stated. “We want to keep the guys on the team that we want to keep.”

During his press conference, Pittman took a time to address the situation of NIL inducements in the game right now.

“Obviously we have guys that come in, go into the portal and you’re not going to talk them out of it simply because they’ve already been poached by somebody else,” he stated. “Told everything, including the finances.

“That is not what we do here. No, we don’t. But it occurs frequently. Teams who are poaching players will eventually have to face consequences from the NCAA because this practice is widespread throughout the nation. We’re not.

Powell departs

Mani Powell, a sophomore linebacker, declared on Saturday that he will be using the NCAA transfer portal.

The majority of the 6-3, 231-pound Fayetteville native’s playing time came from special teams during his first two seasons. In ten games this season, he recorded five tackles.

Powell joins Jordan Crook and Chris Paul as the third linebacker from Arkansas to make an announcement for the portal. On Monday, the gateway opens.

“I would like to thank the University of Arkansas’ coaching staff for believing in my talents and presenting me with an opportunity to be a part of the Razorback family,” Powell wrote on X, which used to be Twitter.

Powell will be eligible for two more seasons.

Barnes passes

Teddy Barnes, a former Arkansas skill player who made a significant impact on Razorback teams in the middle of the 1970s, passed away on Friday, according to family friends.

Barnes, 71, signed a contract with the Lepanto, Arkansas, team.

Barnes, a 5-9 signing as a running back, moved to receiver and had a major impact on one of the Razorbacks’ most significant victories of 1975.

Dec. 6, 1975, in Little Rock, the No. 18 Razorbacks defeated the No. 2 Texas A&M Aggies 31-6 to eliminate them from the unbeaten rankings and end their hopes of winning the national championship. In the contest, Barnes helped open the floodgates by catching a crucial touchdown throw from Scott Bull.

“Being on the football team changed his life and allowed him to accomplish many things he couldn’t have done without it,” stated Clay Bradford, a Lepanto high school teammate and committee member of the Lepanto Museum USA.

Before switching to receiver in 1973–74, Barnes ran for 161 yards and caught three receptions for 54 yards. In 1975, he caught 10 passes for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Razorbacks finished the season 10-2, defeating Georgia 31-10 in the Cotton Bowl.