Sam Pittman evaluates Jahmyr Gibbs, Arkansas' own Georgia Tech transfer, Jordan Domineck
Sam Pittman is turning his attention to Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs as Arkansas readies to take on the Crimson Tide this weekend.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Pittman couldn’t say enough positive things about Gibbs, as well as Arkansas’ own Georgia Tech transfer, defensive lineman Jordan Domineck.
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“Gibbs, we knew he was a great player out of high school, that’s one of the first places I went with Jimmy Smith. He was committed to Georgia Tech, and we obviously went in there to talk to him. He didn’t really want to talk to us very long, and I respected that,” stated Pittman. “But he is a wonderful back out of the backfield. He can run an option route, an angle route as good as anybody in the country. Catches the ball extremely well. He’s going to hurt you with the ball in his hand. They certainly use him at running back, handing the ball to him a lot. Just an outstanding player, has been for a long time. Scott pulled some thing about, for the team, when he was returning kickoffs for Georgia Tech as well, just to show what kind of athlete he’s been for awhile.
“JD has really done a nice job for us. We went out to get him, a big part of it was for his pass rushing ability. He certainly hasn’t disappointed as a man, as a player — hasn’t disappointed us one bit. We’re awfully lucky that we’ve got him.”
Evidently, both Alabama and Arkansas are thankful for their Georgia Tech transfers, as both Jahmyr Gibbs and Jordan Domineck are fantastic talents. However, only one can capture victory when they face off on Saturday.
Sam Pittman has ‘nothing but wonderful things to say’ about Alabama coach Nick Saban
Moreover, am Pittman and Nick Saban’s squads are headlining college football’s Week 5 slate, and ahead of No. 20 Arkansas‘ huge SEC matchup against No. 2 Alabama, Pittman raved about Saban and what he’s been able to accomplish with the program.
“I think he’s fantastic. He’s been so kind, so good to me,” Pittman said Monday. “I sit right next to him at the SEC head coaches meetings. I ask him questions and he’s been kind enough to answer them. He’s treated me outstanding and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about him. He’s the greatest coach of all time in college football, in my opinion. I kind of just wonder when he’s going to retire, too, but I don’t know when that’s gonna come.”
When Pittman arrived in Fayetteville in late 2019, Saban approached the Razorbacks headman for a position on his staff. While the majority of people would likely tell Pittman that when the GOAT calls, you answer, but he would ultimately decline the offer.
“I had just been here about four or five weeks and, I had talked to my players about loyalty, and this, that and the other, and I mean, I can’t be hypocritical,” Pittman said. “And my mother told me she didn’t raise a son who would do that, so that was the end of the conversation.”
The decision to turn down Saban has worked out in Pittman’s favor, who has turned Arkansas from a SEC West bottom-feeder into a top-25 program in a matter of three seasons is an impressive feat to say the least. With an Outback Bowl to his credit, Pittman has ended the Razorbacks’ gridiron woes and has proved his worth as a head coach in the NCAA’s toughest division.
Since taking over as Arkansas head coach, Pittman is 0-2 vs. the Crimson Tide. After getting drubbed 52-3 at home in 2020, the Razorbacks bounced back last season and gave Saban and company a run for their money, but ultimately fell 42-35 in Tuscaloosa.