Three questions for Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks football during spring practice so far

FAYETTEVILLE — Five of Arkansas football's 15 spring practices are complete, and coach Sam Pittman said he's satisfied with the team's early progress. New players from the high school ranks and the transfer portal are getting their first reps as Razorbacks, and a pair of new coaches are, too.

Not every offseason question can be answered in spring ball, but Arkansas has started to address depth issues created by players leaving and expectations being higher than they've been in years.

Early on, though, Pittman said he's excited about how his team looks.

"(We've) got kids that want to be, all of them, they want to be out there," Pittman said. "I feel like we've got a team that would run through a brick wall together. As long as you play hard and you're tough and you're loyal, you've got a chance."

Here are three questions the Razorbacks will need to answer this offseason.

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How will Arkansas replace Treylon Burks' offensive production?

Receiver Treylon Burks' entry into the NFL Draft means Arkansas has a big hole to fill in terms of offensive production. Burks scored more than 20% of Arkansas' total touchdowns last season. He accounted for 1,104 receiving yards, more than the next four leading receivers combined.

Two of those next four leaders are also gone. Arkansas' most experienced receivers returning are seniors Trey Knox and Warren Thompson. Knox has missed some practice after being involved in a car accident over spring break. Pittman did not say when Knox might return to practice.

Unsurprisingly, Thompson has been getting most of the first-team reps in early practices. Backup quarterback Malik Hornsby has also made some appearances at wideout. Oklahoma transfer Jadon Haselwood is practicing in a green no-contact jersey with the second team but is expected to be a contributor.

Of course, Arkansas' running game was a major part of its success last season. Arkansas returns starting running back Dominique Johnson, but he's missed practices while recovering from injury. Sophomores Rocket Sanders and AJ Green have been the main running backs in practice so far. But with a pair of early enrollees and redshirt freshman Javion Hunt also in the mix, the running back room is crowded.

How will the Razorbacks use their new transfers?

Arkansas added six transfers at the end of last season, and almost all appear poised to be significant contributors this year. Haselwood is one of two offensive transfers, the second being walk-on quarterback Cade Fortin from South Florida.

LSU transfer defensive end Landon Jackson hasn't practiced while recovering from a knee injury, but Pittman indicated Jackson will appear on the edge once healthy.

Former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders looks like a challenger for a starting spot next to returning star Bumper Pool.

Arkansas added a pair of defensive backs out of the portal — Georgia's Latavious Brini and LSU's Dwight McGlothern, who got first-team reps in the most recent practice when corner Khari Johnson moved to second-team safety.

Brini has done some moving, too, after playing nickelback at Georgia. Pittman said Brini wanted a chance to play safety, so Arkansas moved him to the boundary.

"I think it’s been a little bit of a learning curve for him," Pittman said. "I think over the last couple of practices, we’ve seen the Brini that we thought we recruited. ... I think we’ll move him at some point to nickel as well and get some type of combo role in there."

Who will start where on the offensive line?

Another hole left in Arkansas' offense was at left tackle after starter Myron Cunningham graduated. Now, the Razorbacks have something of a position battle on the line.

Four of Arkansas' five starting offensive linemen from last season are back. Senior Luke Jones has the next most experience at left tackle behind Cunningham and has been working with the first team.

Pittman said the competition appears to be between Jones and redshirt freshman Devon Manuel, who is running with the second team. Pittman also noted junior Ty'Kieast Crawford as an option at one of the tackle spots.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks. You can email her at clong@swtimes.com or follow her on Twitter @christinalong00.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks football questions at spring practice