Sam Pittman reveals who mimicked Harold Perkins on scout team
Last year, when Arkansas hosted their rivals to the south, LSU, in their annual Battle for the Golden Boot game, the Razorbacks came close to upsetting the eventual SEC West division champs despite starting quarterback KJ Jefferson missing the game. Arguably, the most significant contributor to Arkansas falling short of LSU last season was their inability to contain the Tigers’ defensive star linebacker, Harold Perkins.
To prepare for the game-wrecking ability Perkins possesses this year, Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman has had someone imitate the LSU linebacker in practice. As they prepare for their SEC showdown in Baton Rouge, Pittman revealed who he has been using on the scout team to imitate the Tigers star and how well of a job they have done doing so.
“Well, Alex Sanford has been Harold Perkins, and he’s done a nice job. He’s the closest thing that we can get to him. And we just asked him to do whatever’s on the card, whatever Perkins does,” said Pittman.
“He’s done a really nice job. Obviously, you can’t duplicate that kind of speed. But he’s done a nice job with it.”
Perkins had a breakout game against Arkansas last season. As a true freshman, he was a nightmare for the Razorbacks to contain. Perkins harassed quarterbacks Cade Fortin and Malik Hornsby, all while recording eight total tackles, six solos, three tackles for loss, and three sacks in the game.
If Arkansas is to pull off the upset in Baton Rouge on Saturday, they will definitely need a plan in place to stop Perkins and the rest of the Tigers’ defense.
Pittman provides injury update on Devon Manuel
The Hogs have been awaiting the return of their redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, Devon Manuel.
He’s been recovering from a stinger, and the Hogs need him back in the lineup. In his Wednesday press conference, Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman updated the status of Manuel a few days before their showdown with the Tigers.
“I don’t know. He’s practiced on the first two days, but in my opinion, he’s yet to let it go,” Pittman began. “He’s gotta let it go and get back to where he as to help us. And so, I don’t know if he’ll be available full speed or not and if he won’t, then we won’t play him unless he’s full speed. So, he’s not as of today. We’ll have to figure that out.”
Is there extra motivation for Manuel to get healthy for this week since the Razorbacks are taking on LSU on Saturday?
“Absolutely, Tray. He wants to play. I want him to play,” Pittman continued. All those things. He’s trying his butt off. He’s just, still, a little more beat up than what I was hoping that he would be. That’s why I’m not giving up on him this week because I know how bad he wants to be out there. However, he’s just not fully healthy, yet.”
“A non-fully healthy guy, we’ve got one that would be better than him on the field, if he’s not healthy. Hopefully, he’ll be better today. We’ve still got a lot of time, so, I’m banking on him being ready to play, but he hasn’t to this point,” Pittman said on Wednesday.