Sam Pittman, Arkansas football live updates at 2023 SEC Media Days: Live coverage
NASHVILLE -- Arkansas football, led by coach Sam Pittman, will unofficially kick off its season Wednesday with 2023 SEC Media Days in Nashville.
Pittman will be accompanied by quarterback KJ Jefferson, defensive end Landon Jackson and running back Raheim Sanders. For Jackson and Sanders, it’ll be their first appearances at the annual event. Jefferson was part of the traveling party for the Razorbacks in Atlanta last year.
Pittman heads into his fourth-year as the coach of Razorbacks following a 7-6 finish a year ago that ended with a 55-53 triple-overtime victory over Kansas in the Liberty Bowl. What will the Razorbacks be asked throughout the day? What answers will they provide?
Follow along below for live updates from Arkansas’ time at SEC Media Days.
When will Sam Pittman speak at 2023 SEC Media Days?
Time: 10:30 a.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
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Arkansas will be represented by quarterback KJ Jefferson, defensive end Landon Jackson and running back Raheim Sanders at SEC Media Days.
Sam Pittman, Arkansas football live updates from 2023 SEC Media Days
Sam Pittman embraces the challenge of Arkansas' tough schedule
Arkansas' conference schedule include matchups against the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Mississippi State. However, Pittman believes the Razorbacks will be ready for the test.
"We obviously have a challenging schedule. I think last year, somebody told me we played seven teams in the Top-25. Well, that's the SEC. We are excited about that," Pittman told the media. "This year, we go to Florida. I don't believe we've ever won at Florida. We have Missouri at home and then we have a non-conference schedule. We are excited to get BYU again. Kalani Sitake is an outstanding coach, and we are excited to get BYU playing here as we played them down there last year."
KJ Jefferson says he almost committed to Mississippi State
KJ Jefferson, a native of Sardis, Mississippi where he played at North Panola High School, told media that he nearly went to play under former coach Joe Moorhead and the Bulldogs in 2019.
"I was really close to choosing one of the Mississippi schools. Actually I was close to choosing Mississippi State," Jefferson said. "But just coming on the visit to Arkansas, the people and the academic side of things was just the perfect place to be. It felt like I'm just in an environment of people that take care of you. They love the Hogs and they're just wanting to see you do big things and succeed in life in Fayettville."
Texas native Landon Jackson says he's excited to to be apart of the renewed Arkansas-Texas rivalry in 2024
Texas and Oklahoma reached an agreement with the Big 12 in February to join the SEC in July 2024. For Jackson, being able to play against Texas means more to him than just being apart of a rivalry.
"Texas was one of the first teams to start recruiting me, them and Texas A&M," Jackson said. "So it's really cool to be able to play against a lot of those guys because they got a lot of in-state players that I knew throughout recruitment. So I know a few guys over there. Also I think I think it'll be a big game. It'll be a really good rivalry. I think the fans will get really into it and we're gonna see how it goes."
Sam Pittman talks about Mike Leach's legacy at SEC Media Days
Despite not knowing him well, Pittman spoke highly of the late Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach and acknowledged his high respect for him.
"Somebody asked me did you know him well, I said no. He then said are you're going to the funeral and I said I am because he'd be at mine," Pittman said at the podium. "That's just what kind of guy he was. Always calm all the time. A lot of respect for him. We go the Liberty Bowl, and the people at the Liberty Bowl can't quit talking about all the things that Mike Leach had said about me because they were Arkansas fans the year before. Incredible man and let's be honest, the game misses him. We'll miss him as well."
Sam Pittman believes KJ Jefferson will break all-time records this upcoming season
Senior quarterback KJ Jefferson, who is fresh off two consecutive seasons throwing for over 2,600 yards, has garnished high expectations from his coach Sam Pittman for this upcoming year.
"Today we brought KJ Jefferson, our quarterback, who's on the verge of setting at least six or seven records," Pittman said on stage. "He's a great leader for us, wonderful kid, very proud of him. He is our leader. He's our leader both on the offense and the defense. Obviously, on one side of the ball a lot of the time you'll have leaders that are on that side of the ball. KJ is our team leader and we're awful happy he is."
Sam Pittman says Raheim "Rocket" Sanders and Landon Jackson are moving quicker despite having put on weight
Pittman says the first order of business after Arkansas' triple overtime victory over Kansas in the the Liberty Bowl was doing anything possible to be better. Pittman acknowledged that two of the players he brought with him to SEC Media Days began that quest early.
"Rocket gained another 10 pounds and is running faster than he ever has. He's had a great offseason," Pittman said. "Then Landon Jackson, you'll see him. He went from 236 at the end of last year to 280 and is running over 20 miles per hour."
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Sam Pittman, Arkansas football live updates at 2023 SEC Media Days
