Sam Pittman says Arkansas 'hit the jackpot' in new OC Dan Enos

When Sam Pittman first spoke with Dan Enos about the Arkansas offensive coordinator job, there was one question on the then-Maryland offensive coordinator’s mind. It revolved around KJ Jefferson, who ranked 12th in the SEC in rushing yards in 2022.

“I think the first question that Dan asked me when I talked to him about the job was, ‘What do you want?'” Pittman told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “‘I know what you got. What do you want? Do you want him running the ball?'”

In Kendal Briles’ system, Jefferson was able to use his legs to make big plays, to the tune of 58.2 yards per game last season. But now with Enos running the controls, that’s going to change.

Pittman doesn’t want Jefferson running — at least, not too much. Based on Enos’ track record with Tua Tagovailoa and Brandon Allen, to get closer to Arkansas fans’ wheelhouse, Pittman thinks the offense is in good hands.

“I said, ‘No, no, no, no. I want him healthy and I want him throwing the football,'” Pittman said. “Now, he’s going to run the ball because he’s going to decide that when he wants to. So I said, ‘No, no, no, no, no.’ I was really interested in how he could develop KJ. And I just think between what he did at Alabama, what he did with Brandon Allen. I think we hit the jackpot.”

The offense will look much different under Enos, and Jefferson said as much. He’ll likely throw the ball more, which will be a big change considering he ranked 10th in the SEC in 300 passing attempts in 2022.

Jefferson is ready for that adjustment, though. He also warned fans they’re going to see a whole new offense on the field.

“It’s going to look way different,” Jefferson said. “We’re not as fast as we used to be in the past. Pro-style offense with some spread concepts in it. The game is going to be a whole lot slower now, moving forward.”

Last year at Maryland, Enos’ offense ranked fourth in the Big Ten in total offense and third in passing offense with Taulia Tagovailoa at quarterback. The Terrapins averaged 259.8 yards per game in the air compared to Arkansas’ 234.7 passing yards per contest.

Enos and the Razorbacks will have their first chance to show off the new-look offense Sept. 2 against Western Carolina.