NWADG College Football

2022

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1477106

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 8 of 39

9 NWA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.28.2022 www.harpsfood.com We've got you covered for your football tailgate parties! Make game day memories this fall with your neighborhood Harps. HARPS H O M E T O W N F R E S H a summer arrival, has also turned heads. He may be as fast as anyone on the team and at 6-5 is a matchup nightmare even for SEC corners. "Thompson is as improved as anyone," Pittman said. "He finally looks comfortable here. He's comfortable with us. He was always talented and good in space. But now he's catching contested balls. You think, 'How did he catch that?' KJ looks for him." Pittman is also high on returnee Bryce Stephens along with true freshmen Isaiah Sategna, Quincy McAdoo and Sam Mbake. Sategna may figure in the return game immediately. "They all three are going to help us," Pittman said. "It may be as soon as this year." It's that kind of prospects at receiver that make Pittman think hard about how much Hornsby plays there. "With got all of those wide receivers, it's hard to take (Hornsby) out of the quarterback room," Pittman said. "We are going to put him out there (at receiver) some and we have some packages for him." Trey Knox has emerged as an every down tight end after playing too light last year to be an effective blocker. He's at 240 now. "His blocking success has gone way up," Pittman said. "The willingness (to block) has always been there. But he's 240 now versus 212 last year. He's obviously more physical and stronger. He wants to play on two special teams, too. But as far as his blocking, he's always wanted to be a good blocker, but now he can do it." Depth has improved at tight end with quick development from freshman Tyus Washington to go with Nathan Bax and Hudson Henry. It's the depth throughout the team that makes some cautious about predicting greatness for this team. "We have a good team," Pittman said. "But we may not have the depth some others have." That's probably most obvious at defensive tackle, but there is some hope with the arrival of transfer Terry Hampton from Arkansas State. He's up to 314 and knows technique. "I see him do things with his hands and technique that shows he's played," said Isaiah Nichols, the starter at nose tackle. "He hasn't played in this league, but it's clear he knows what to do." The key on defense is the development of a pass rush. Transfers Landon Jackson (LSU) and Jordan Domineck (Georgia Tech) provide hope of more speed off the edge. There are also signs that sixth- year senior Dorian Gerald can help after missing the last two seasons with injuries, a broken leg last year. "Dorian has shown us his speed," Nichols said. "He's lighter (256) and he just needs to develop more trust in that leg." Linebacker Bumper Pool returns for a super senior season after leading the team with 125 tackles. Alabama transfer Drew Sanders looks like the other starter and could help in blitz packages. He started three games at rush end for the Crimson Tide. His new teammates marvel at his swim move in rush situations. The question at linebacker might be depth. The Hogs could rotate three superb linebackers last year. Can they this season? Redshirt freshman Chris "Pooh" Paul and true freshmen Mani Powell, Jordan See SHARE, Page 10 Arkansas Self Storage, LLC Quality • Service • Convenience Good Luck to our coLLeGe home team! www.arkansasselfstorage.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of NWADG College Football - 2022