Sam Pittman Knows Arkansas Wins Will Result In Addition, Not Subtraction, Of Transfers

Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman knows one way to improve on last season's 3-7 record quickly is with upperclassmen, or at least with experienced players. He knows you can get those type of players via the transfer portal.

So that is where Pittman has turned during the offseason. That always raises some eyebrows, particularly when it comes to tampering. But Pittman promised nothing fishy is going on with the Razorbacks.

"I think it's easy to say that someone tampered if you lose somebody," Pittman said, "but in all honesty, we have to look at ourselves and internally in our program to say, 'Have we done all the things? Have we been honest and true? Have we built a relationship with us where he won't want to leave us?'

"... If you turn it around, you're going to go get someone from the portal, too."

Arkansas opens the season Sept. 4 at home vs. Rice. In fact, each of the Razorbacks' first three games are at home. After Rice, they face Texas (Sept. 11) and Georgia Southern (Sept. 18). You can check out their full schedule here.

Among some of the most noteworthy Arkansas pickups are: former Ole Miss quarterback Kade Renfro, former Charlotte offensive lineman Ty'kieast Crawford, former Houston defensive lineman Tre Williams and former Penn State defensive back Trent Gordon.

Will they be enough to lift Arkansas to a competitive level quickly? Perhaps. All we really know is Pittman and the Razorbacks intend to find out.