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It may feel like last season just ended, but it’s already getting close to time for Arkansas to hit the practice fields again for spring ball.
The first of 15 practices for the Razorbacks is scheduled for March 13, meaning it is less than three weeks away. They’re looking to build off a 9-4 campaign capped with an Outback Bowl win.
While things seem to be trending in a positive direction, Arkansas still has a few questions it must answer before beginning the 2022 season. HawgBeat will be examining those topics in our Burning Questions series over the next several days…
Who will start at left tackle?
With center Ricky Stromberg forgoing the NFL Draft and right tackle Dalton Wagner utilizing his extra year of eligibility, Arkansas returns four of its five starting offensive linemen from last season in 2022. The only loss is left tackle Myron Cunningham, who was a super senior and is now headed to the NFL.
Even though he may not have made the strides some expected in Year 2 under Pittman, it’s a significant loss because Cunningham played more than 96 percent of Arkansas’ offensive snaps at left tackle. That means the Razorbacks will be breaking in someone new at the most important position on the offensive line.
There are a few options. Luke Jones - who has proven to be a versatile backup since transferring in from Notre Dame - got the most snaps at left tackle behind Cunningham last season, followed closely by Jalen St. John, who is back with the team after a brief stint in the transfer portal.
Of the two, St. John likely has a higher ceiling and Pittman has been very high on him in the past. However, the former four-star recruit’s future could be at guard. In fact, Pittman said they would move him - and fellow former four-star recruit Ty’Kieast Crawford - to guard during the season, but both were still seen primarily working at tackle in practice.
