Sam Pittman: Malik Hornsby is too good to not be on the field
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has been a football man his whole life. Few are the number of players who could make him change his ways.
Malik Hornsby is one of them.
The Razorbacks back-up quarterback is simply too good to languish in a role that is likely to see little playing time behind starter KJ Jefferson. So Pittman has restructured Arkansas’ practices to allow Horsnby to get reps both there and at wide receiver in hopes of putting one of his most athletic players on the field more often.
“I’ve told him that we need him on the field,” Pittman said. “He has to earn the right to get on the field, but we need him on the field. We’ve got a plan for it. I hope it works and I feel like it will.”
Hornsby had just 12 passing attempts last year. His 135 yards on the ground on just 24 carries, though, suggests potential Pittman and the Arkansas staff would like to further tap.
Running back isn’t really an option. For one, too many opportunities to get beat up. Secondly, the Razorbacks are loaded there with Dominique Johnson, Rocket Sanders and AJ Green. Wide receiver, however, is a position of need and Pittman and Co. moved Hornsby be to the outside for bits during the spring.
“We think he’s an excellent football player, so we are obviously going to give him the opportunity to win the job, but at the same time give him the opportunity to win the wide receivers spot, too.”
