Pittman touts new O-linemen
FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman and offensive line coach Eric Mateos were happy to supplement the returning Razorback offensive linemen with five signees, high schoolers Kobe Branham and Zuri Madison and transfer portal adds Keyshawn Blackstock, Fernando Carmona and Addison Nichols.
Blackstock, a Michigan State player in 2022, was the Hogs’ first portal commitment, while Carmona (San Jose State) and Nichols (Tennessee) joined the class more recently.
“We felt like we hit big-time on Blackstock early, maybe four weeks ago, whatever that was,” Pittman said during his National Signing Day press conference on Wednesday. “When Eric got the job, he turned on Carmona. Man he’s a great kid, big, very, very aggressive.
“To me, he’s us, him and Blackstock. Chip on his shoulder, aggressive. The old Dan Skipper, Travis Swanson, [Frank] Ragnow, [Sebastian] Tretola, that type group. If I don’t mention Brey Cook he’ll be mad at me. But those type guys.
“And then we needed a center. Obviously we’re very happy we have [Amaury] Wiggins here, and he’s going to develop as well. It’s going to be a heck of a battle in there and all those things, but Addison Nichols and I worked out at Georgia and I offered him that day. Very, very, very talented.”
Pittman said the Razorbacks want to add another one or two offensive linemen through the portal, preferably guys who have the ability to snap the ball.
Mateos discussed the importance of having talented centers, touting the position as the tone setter for the unit.
“Center is typically the best brain in the room,” Mateos said. “If not, another guy might be close, but you need somebody that can handle a lot of information, digest a lot of pictures, be able to spit out words, be able to translate things, visual … get ’em out… verbal.
“Gotta be a great communicator, great leader. Center has got to be the first guy to run in to a burning building. He’s got to be the guy that is willing to go first, willing to lead, have great volume.”
Mateos said a center’s demeanor can affect plays.
“Just the way a center makes a call sets the tone for the whole thing,” he said. “If he whispers it or says it in a meek way, I think you are setting yourself up for a soft play. If you have a center that sets at the line of scrimmage and makes his ID and has confidence and provides confidence to the rest of the group, you have a chance to come off the ball and be successful. I just think the mental aspect and the leadership part of that position is so important to the game and is really underrated.”