Arkansas special teams should be improved in 2025, Pittman says
Arkansas football’s special teams unit looks poised to be much-improved in 2025, according to head coach Sam Pittman.
During SEC Media Days in Atlanta (Ga.) last week, Pittman said he feels like his special teams unit is stronger and bigger in 2025.
Along with the size improvement, Pittman also feels they have a special talent in punt returner Kam Shanks, who transferred in from Alabama-Birmingham last offseason.
“I like it,” Pittman said. “With the addition of Kam Shanks, we have something special there. We went out hard to get him, because of his ability to change games on special teams.”
Shanks was a Jet Award finalist last season and is a Preseason First Team All-SEC punt returner according to Phil Steele. He returned 16 punts for 329 yards and two touchdowns for the Blazers last season.
What’s the kicker situation for Arkansas in 2025?
The Hogs have three options at kicker next season, with true freshman Scott Starzyk, incoming transfer Blake Ford and redshirt freshman Charlie Von Der Meden.
Pittman said Starzyk is coming along well and had a good spring, they just need to see him inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“Starzyk made some key field goals in the spring,” Pittman said. “Now, we got to get him in the stadium and possibly open up some preseason things so we can get some people in the stands so he can feel that a little bit better before we play our first game.
“He was ranked No. 1 or 2 in all the kicking services for a reason. He’s very talented.”
Starzyk doesn’t have any field goal experience in college, but it’s worth noting the other two kickers don’t either. Von Der Meden and Ford have both only handled kickoff duties in college. But Pittman said he’s confident in the field goal unit.
“I think we’re as strong as we’ve been there as far as kicker, snapper, holder, kickoff, punter,” Pittman said. “With a little unknown with Scott, just because he hasn’t been out on the grand stage yet.”
Arkansas needs more of the same from Devin Bale
The one area Arkansas had no issues with on special teams last year was at punter, and Devin Bale returns to Arkansas for his second year with the program.
Bale has collected preseason accolades from various outlets and was most recently named Preseason Third Team All-SEC punter during SEC Media Days last week.
“Devin Bale is as valuable of a player as we have,” Pittman said.
A transfer from Northern Colorado ahead of last season, Bale punted 41 times for 1,855 yards for an average of 45.2 yards per punt. 11 of those punts were downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and 11 punts traveled 50+ yards.
––––––––––
More HawgBeat Football Coverage
– Antonio Jordan is ‘the next one’ in Warren’s long WR lineage
– Three freshmen who could make impact for Arkansas football in 2025
– Xavian Sorey Jr. taking leadership role in final season at Arkansas
– ‘Mature’ freshman Cam Settles could play role for Hogs in 2025
– Taylen Green building chemistry with new-look offense in 2025
