FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Whatever the result ends up being in November, it’s almost a virtual lock Arkansas’ offense will be improved. Let’s face it, Bobby Petrino’s probably never had an offense that dysfuntional in his coaching life.
Now the new Hogs’ offensive coordinator comes in with high expectations from a Razorbacks’ fan base that may be a little unrealistic. At least based on available evidence at this point.
No one will have a feel for how much to expect until September. How truly successful the offense can be won’t be known until late October or early November.
It’s easy for an offense to look good against air. If they don’t do that, it’s a four-alarm situation, but that isn’t going to happen at the level the Razorbacks play.
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Sam Pittman says every summer they are optimistic, but he’s cautious in that time like every coach. He knows it’s different in an SEC game.
Hogs’ fans are counting on having an offense ready to compete for a title. At this point, they would probably settle to compete for anything other than a bowl game closer to New Year’s than Christmas.
Hold up a minute. There’s not one shred of evidence beyond fan hope at this point.
While it is true there are some good offensive players, it requires 22 to really be good. That’s been the problem for Pittman and most other coaches in front of him — depth.
For whatever reason (and everybody has an idea why), Arkansas hasn’t been able to get those kinds of athletes in big numbers. Pittman’s best role is developing players, but in this day and age coaches know they could be developing them to contribute toward some other staff competing for a title.
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Petrino has a quarterback in Taylen Green that he wanted before he chose Boise State instead of Missouri State. Maybe the biggest problem is they’ll only have him for one year.
Add to that a group of wide receivers desperately needing a proven go-to No. 1 and a whole host of new running backs topped off with a juggling of the offensive line, and there are more questions than answers now. That’s what all the hope is based on with Petrino.
Petrino’s offense needs playmakers to make it work. A lot has been made about this unit being more explosive now, but there’s no game evidence of being able to accomplish that. Not even Petrino can pull of that magic trick.
Pittman knows all this, which is why he hired him. He said at the SEC Football Kickoff on Thursday he’s like a “security blanket” for him.
“He’s passionate,” Pittman said. “He likes to win, likes to win and score points. So it’s been great. I had Barry before that I could bump some head coaching questions off. As I get older the questions aren’t as many. Or as I get more years of being a head coach.”
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That doesn’t mean they agree on everything. One thing Pittman probably does is make it very clear he’s the one with the ultimate veto power over any decision. In the end, he’s in charge or else he wouldn’t be here.
“I’ll ask them a question and I want their opinion and they know it,” Pittman said. “We’ll agree on it or won’t, but we’re both grown men. If we do, we do. If we don’t, we don’t. We move on down the road. (Petrino) spends more time in my office than anybody, and I apologize to him. I don’t know if he likes it or not. I do make him talk to me a lot.”
Whatever he does, though, probably is signed off on by Pittman. At this point he’s helping turn the offensive line into something respectable. That was clear in spring practice where the players and even the coaches paid attention when he got to their group in individual and group drills.
Everybody could be setting themselves up for disappointment because the expectations are at times getting a little bit over-reaching. Fans might want to have a little patience.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
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In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
