Arkansas
Arkansas Excited at First, but Now Anxious About James
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Dazmin James broke the Arkansas record for longest touchdown reception Friday night, it was a pleasant surprise that excited Razorbacks fans.
It was evident afterward that such big play ability isn’t something Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has seen on a regular basis.
“He’s so talented, but he just hasn’t done what we saw tonight,” Pittman said. “But he had opportunity and I expect that to be all the time now.”
Big stepper mmhmmm @dazminjames 🏃💨 pic.twitter.com/bQf4hYLFEA
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) December 28, 2024
However, as he pulled in another big catch against Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl, toughed out an injury, and then made another, the excitement turned to anxiety. Hogs fans took to social media mid-game with concerns that if he makes another catch, the red-shirt freshman receiver’s phone would blow up with financial offers elsewhere and he’d be in the portal by morning.
Following his three catches for 137 yards and a touchdown performance that might have been much bigger had he not had to step out to avoid more permanent injury, James was named offensive MVP. It’s an honor former Razorback Marcus Elliott didn’t want a particular program just south of Memphis finding out about.
“Lane Kiffin, I’m gonna fight you if you call 83,” Elliott said on the “5th Quarter Postgame Show” on 103.7 The Buzz in Little Rock. “Leave 83 alone.”
WR Dazmin James’ first career catch goes for a 94-yard score, the longest touchdown reception in program history. It breaks WR Richard Smith’s 92-yard touchdown reception against Tennessee in 2002. pic.twitter.com/uacWrgyNUF
— Razorback Communications (@RazorbackComms) December 28, 2024
It’s a shame this is the environment Arkansas fans have to endure. With hours remaining in the December window once the game ended, Hogs fans waited with gritted teeth to make sure James didn’t end up shipping off to the highest bidder.
Of course, even though he will make it past the new year, there’s always 10 days in April where the checkbooks open up again that Sam Pittman and his staff must survive. James proved himself to be one of the “lights on” guys discussed in a wide receiver breakdown prior to the game.
He wasn’t included in the list of players who could show something with the opportunity because quite frankly, it was hard to remember James was on the roster. The weekly two-deep can only hold so many receiver names and media members aren’t allowed to see practice anymore.
However, among the type of receivers talked about is those who don’t do as well in practice because they need the adrenaline that comes with being in a real game to actually show their potential. The rush heightens their senses, increases their agility and adds a boost to their speed.
That seems to be what Arkansas has in James. It puts Pittman in a unique situation as he is a man who heavily values practice performance.
However, he will need to find a set of lights for James to play under where 94-yard touchdowns make a difference. If he’s not willing to let his breakout star show he’s a true gamer, there’s a coach out there somewhere who will.
And that’s what makes Arkansas fans nervous. They just saw all the characteristics they crave in a Razorbacks receiver, and the last thing they want is to see that heart and skill walk out the door.
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Arkansas
No. 1 Arkansas leads SEC Indoor after first day finals
COLLEGE STATION – A victory in the 5,000m by Nick Busienei and third place in the distance medley relay had No. 1 Arkansas leading the team score with 18 points on the first day of the SEC Indoor Championships.
The Razorbacks produced 12 of those points in the 5,000m as Nick Busienei won the race in a meet record of 13;31.86, which ranks him No. 7 on the UA all-time list. Busienei bettered the meet record of 13:37.52 set by Razorback Patrick Kiprop in 2025.
James Sankei added two more points in placing seventh with a time of 13:44.57.
Dating back to 1992 when Arkansas competed in its first SEC Indoor meet, Busienei claimed the 21st title for the program and is the 14th Razorback to win the indoor 5,000m.
Six more points were added in the distance medley relay as Arkansas posted a time of 9:30.84 from the foursome of Owan Logorodi (2:58.46), Zyaire Nuriddin (46.51), Julian Carter (1:49.10), and Brian Masai (3:56.77).
South Carolina won the race in 9:30.08 with Ole Miss runner-up in 9:30.34. Florida originally placed third in 9:30.37 but was disqualified for spiking the baton at the conclusion of the race.
Jelani Watkins led the Razorback crew in the 200m prelims as three Arkansas sprinters advanced to the final. Watkins produced an indoor career best of 20.42 rank second overall to a 20.38 by Florida’s Wayna McCoy. Watkins remains No. 2 on the UA all-time list as he improved his previous time of 20.43.
Dapriest Hogans followed with a 20.63 that equaled his career best and his No. 8 ranking on the UA all-time list. Tevijon Williams clocked 20.65 to reach the final where 20.71 was the cutoff time. Jamarion Stubbs ran 20.87 in his prelim heat.
Cooper Williams completed the first day of the heptathlon in sixth place with 2,862 points. He started with a 7.43 in the 60m (736), then added a 21-9.5 (6.64) long jump (729). In the shot put, a mark of 36-8.25 (11.18) picked up 557 points. Williams wrapped up day one by topping the field in the high jump with a clearance of 6-8.25 for 840 points.
Link Lindsey placed 15 in the long jump with a mark of 23-6.75 (7.18).
Arkansas
The wall goes back up: Arkansas embraces defiant isolation
Arkansas
Man arrested in Arkansas connected to Jan. 2026 fatal hit-and-run in Dallas
DALLAS – Authorities in Arkansas have arrested a man accused of being behind the wheel during a January car crash that left one man dead.
Suspect arrested in Arkansas for Dallas hit-and-run
What we know:
U.S. Marshals tracked down 22-year-old Enrique Hernandez in De Queen, a southwest Arkansas town about three hours away from Dallas and an hour north of Texarkana.
Hernandez has been charged with collision involving death, a second-degree felony, in connection with the case. He is currently being held in an Arkansas jail before he is transferred to a jail in Dallas County.
What we don’t know:
Dallas police haven’t said if the suspect has any ties to the victim or the area of Arkansas where he was arrested.
The backstory:
The fatal hit-and-run occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 near W. Davis St. and N. Westmoreland Dr. in Dallas.
26-year-old Johnathan Rodriguez was dropped off by friends outside his Dallas neighborhood early Sunday morning after celebrating his birthday.
Surveillance video shows Rodriguez in the media area of the road when a dark-colored SUV hits him and drives away.
Rodriguez was left with severe head trauma, later dying from his injuries.
A bittersweet victory for the family
What they’re saying:
John Rodriguez, the victim’s father, struggled to find the words to describe the news he received.
“It’s not going to bring him back, bring my son back,” Rodriguez told FOX 4’s Peyton Yager. “It hurts every day, every minute. I wake up every morning, and he is not here. We are really going to miss him.”
The Rodriguez family worked with police to help find their son’s killer. They found more surveillance video near the scene of the accident that helped authorities find and arrest Hernandez in Arkansas.
“We are going to fight for justice. Long live Johnny, and we are going to keep on fighting,” Rodriguez said.
The Source: Information in this story came from current and previous FOX 4 reporting.
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