Three questions facing Sam Pittman and Arkansas football at start of practice

August has arrived, and that means the start of practice for college football programs nationwide. Expectations are high for Arkansas football this season after finishing with their best record in a decade in 2021-22.

But Arkansas has several questions to answer in practice before it takes the field at Razorback Stadium on Sept. 3. With one of the toughest schedules in the nation and an opener against 2021 College Football Playoff team Cincinnati, coach Sam Pittman and the Razorbacks need to have an excellent camp to solve some of those outstanding issues and be ready to take on the 2022-23 season.

Here's what we're watching most closely as fall camp begins.

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How will KJ Jefferson adapt to his new receiver corps?

The biggest talking point this offseason has been what Arkansas' offense will look like without Treylon Burks at receiver. Luckily for the Razorbacks, quarterback KJ Jefferson is coming off a season in which he finished fourth in the SEC in completion percentage and pass efficiency rating.

Arkansas has plenty of talented receivers not named Burks, including Warren Thompson and Ketron Jackson Jr. Transfer addition Jadon Haselwood from Oklahoma has garnered plenty of offseason hype.

But Burks was a unique receiver in terms of both talent and style, and Jefferson has to adapt to the personnel at his disposal.

"KJ is going to have to get comfortable with where these guys are going to be," Pittman said. "He has to get comfortable with their speed, how they run their routes. That was certainly the number one thing offensively that was concerning."

Who will lead Arkansas' pass rush?

The defensive line is Arkansas' biggest work in progress on the other side of the ball. Under new D-Line coach Deke Adams, the Razorbacks are looking specifically to improve their pass rush.

Three regular starters from last season's line are gone: Tre Williams, John Ridgeway and Markell Utsey. Interior lineman Taurean Carter suffered an injury in spring practice, and it's unclear whether he'll be back. Williams was the team's sack leader in 2021-22. With his departure, Arkansas is in search of a defensive end who can get to the quarterback even more.

Zach Williams, who started at jack last season, will be back. LSU transfer Landon Jackson appears to be the primary candidate to fill Williams' spot on the edge, and Georgia Tech transfer Jordan Domineck is in the mix as well. Jashaud Stewart was behind Williams on the depth chart for much of last season and will also be a contender.

"We think we can get to the quarterback a little bit more," Pittman said. "We've got to get behind the chains on first down. We did better last year. We have to continue getting better."

Who will emerge out of the backfield?

Arkansas' running back room is crowded. After a season in which the Razorbacks led the Power Five in yards per game, Arkansas lost one player, Trelon Smith, to the transfer portal. But Arkansas retained its other key rushers and added highly touted freshmen.

Jefferson led the team in rushing yards last season, and he'll continue to be a threat with his legs. As for the backfield, Raheim Sanders and Dominique Johnson are the main returners to watch. The duo each had 586 rushing yards last season, and Sanders landed on the SEC All-Freshman team. Sophomore AJ Green will also look to expand his role after a freshman season in which he saw his touches per game dwindle down the stretch. Pittman sang the praises of freshman Rashod Dubinion in spring ball, too.

"It’s hard to have (Sanders) and AJ and now Dubinion and Dominique Johnson and keep them all," Pittman said. "I think the greatest thing that we have in that room is competition."

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Three questions Arkansas football must answer in preseason practice