Sam Pittman addresses potential for Quincey McAdoo to play on both sides of the ball

When Arkansas signed Quincey McAdoo, there was going to be an opportunity to play both sides of the ball. McAdoo has the ability to play both wide receiver and defensive back but went with the latter during his freshman season. A big impact was made as well under head coach Sam Pittman.

Spring practice means Pittman has the opportunity to try a few things with McAdoo. However, his primary position is going to stay defensive back in the best interest of the team. McAdoo was tempted to play offense at one point but Pittman seems happy with the decision.

“We’ve had extensive conversations about him on offense, him on defense,” Pittman said. “With the emergence of the new staff, I think he’s more comfortable staying where he was. I think there might have been a point where he wanted to move to offense. But, he’s going to stay on defense because he feels like he can help the team, help himself more over there.

McAdoo played in nine games as a true freshman, starting in four games. He recorded 30 tackles while adding a tackle for a loss and a sack against Ole Miss. Two interceptions were hauled in from McAdoo as well, coming in the loss to Liberty and the bowl win against Kansas.

Defensive back may be the full-time position but McAdoo could still make a slight offensive impact. Pittman said they are working on implementing a third-down package for the sophomore. Some extra work will have to be put in over the next few months to make the magic happen but both sides are willing to make it work.

“We have talked to him about a third-down package and I have talked to our staff about that,” Pittman said. “There’s two things there. One, he has to do it. It’s going to be extra work on him. Which, he’s willing to do that. And one of the other things is, he has to be one of our top three receivers, top four to get on the field. As long as that happens, then certainly, we are going to look at it because I told him I would.”

McAdoo was just a three-star prospect coming out of high school, being an in-state win for Arkansas and Pittman. He was initially viewed as a wide receiver but the evaluation from the staff differed. No matter where McAdoo plays, an impact player is stepping onto the field.