Pittman glad Razorbacks finally getting home opener to start season
After a couple of years kicking off the season away from Razorback Stadium, how Hogs have gotten ready for Alabama A&M.
Arkansas Sports Network’s Brad Caldwell looking ahead to football season
Takig a look through the state as high school football gets under way plus what he’s seeing with the Razorbacks before opener.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 8-25-25
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Danny Saili’s transformation anchors Razorbacks’ defensive line
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When Arkansas opens the 2024 football season, senior defensive tackle Danny Saili is expected to be a central figure on the Razorbacks’ defensive line, a position he earned after a dramatic transformation over the past year.
Saili, who arrived at Arkansas weighing 375 pounds, played sparingly last season. He appeared in seven games, mostly on special teams, and recorded just four tackles. This fall, following a 50-pound weight loss and a renewed commitment to conditioning, he is projected to start at defensive tackle.
Arkansas defensive line coach Deke Adams said Saili’s turnaround began during spring practice.
“The biggest thing with me is being able to trust when I put you on the field that you’re going to execute and do what we ask you to do,” Adams said. “Coming from last fall into the spring, we talked about that. And man, he made some major, major strides this spring, becoming a guy that’s more disruptive.
“That understands what he can do and what he couldn’t do. And that’s kind of carried over from the spring. Now I’m challenging him to take it to another level. But he’s done a good job.”
Saili’s weight loss is a key factor in his improvement. Adams recalled telling Saili to “treat your body like a Ferrari,” urging him to change his diet and approach to training.
“He started changing his diet, he started taking the workouts more serious, and his cardio and he made a commitment that he was going to drop however many pounds he did,” Adams said. “You can tell just how elusive he looks, just going sideline to sideline and having that stamina to be out there longer plays. Danny has made a big leap, and I’m so excited to see what he can do this year. He deserves his opportunity, and now it’s here for him.”
Saili’s progress has been noticed by his teammates, including redshirt junior center Caden Kitler.
“I’m glad I wasn’t here when he was 375,” Kitler said. “Nah, Danny’s a good player. He flies off the ball. He’s good at timing up the snap count. He works his hands really well. He’s a good guy to go against because he’s so big but he’s so twitchy at the same time. It’s good to go against him every day.”
Arkansas enters the season with concerns about depth on the defensive line. Last year, the Razorbacks struggled to generate consistent pressure and stop the run, often forcing linebackers and defensive backs to make up the difference. Saili’s new role as a starter is expected to help stabilize the interior and allow the defensive coaches to rotate players more effectively.
Adams, now in his third season leading the defensive line at Arkansas, said Saili’s development is an example for other players.
“He deserves his opportunity, and now it’s here for him, so I’m happy for him,” Adams said. “That’s the kind of commitment it takes.”
The Razorbacks have tried several combinations on the defensive front during fall camp, seeking the right balance of experience and athleticism. While other spots remain unsettled, Saili’s emergence as a reliable option has provided some stability.
Saili’s journey has also been marked by changes in his eating and training habits.
According to Adams, Saili traded unhealthy foods for a protein-heavy diet and dedicated himself to improved conditioning, resulting in better stamina and quickness. In scrimmages, Saili has demonstrated an ability to move laterally and keep up with faster offensive players.
With the 2024 season approaching, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and his staff are counting on defensive improvement to help the Razorbacks contend in the SEC. Saili’s transformation is viewed as a positive sign for a unit aiming to rebound from a challenging season.
Saili’s story resonates with younger players, who have seen firsthand the results of his hard work.
“He’s become more vocal, more of a leader,” Kitler said.
As practices wind down and the Razorbacks prepare for their opener, Saili’s performance will be closely watched. His transition from backup to projected starter could be a key factor in Arkansas’s defensive success this fall.
For Saili, the opportunity is clear.
“Now I’m challenging him to take it to another level,” Adams said. “The work is just beginning.”
Razorbacks wide receiver Shanks, defensive back Young on preseason
Kam Shanks showing he can be one of new group of receivers to be counted, Jordan Young on new secondary players headed into season.
Razorbacks center Kitler, defensive end Rhodes recapping preseason heading into game prep
Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes and center Caden Kitler spoke with reporters, Thursda about preseason practices and opener against Alabama A&M.
Razorbacks face new challenges under SEC’s nine-game football schedule
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Southeastern Conference’s decision to adopt a nine-game football schedule starting in 2026 will bring major changes to Arkansas.
For a rebuilding program, it will increase both the difficulty of the Razorbacks’ path to bowl eligibility and the frequency of high-profile matchups in Fayetteville.
The SEC announced Thursday that each team will face three permanent conference opponents while rotating through the remaining six teams each year.
This change ensures every team will play every other SEC program at least once every two years, and in each stadium every four years. For Arkansas, which has played eight league games since joining the SEC in 1992, the move marks a significant shift.
The new format arrives as the College Football Playoff Committee prepares to implement a new “record strength” metric in 2025. The metric gives teams extra credit for wins over quality opponents and lessens the penalty for losses to top-ranked teams.
Considering the Razorbacks keep having some of the toughest schedules in the country, it’s just going to make life a little harder.
The Hogs will keep their annual rivalry with Missouri, which has been a staple since the Tigers joined the conference.
Other permanent opponents for Arkansas have yet to be finalized, but traditional matchups with schools like Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU are expected to remain prominent.
For Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman, the change means even more preparation for a brutal conference slate.
“We know how tough this league is,” Pittman said earlier this year. “Adding another SEC opponent just makes it that much tougher, but our guys thrive on that challenge.”
The move also carries financial implications. ESPN, which holds broadcast rights for SEC football, is expected to boost its rights payments in response to the expanded slate of marquee games.
That means more revenue for Arkansas athletics, which could help fund facility upgrades and support other sports.
Not everyone is welcoming the change. Some Hog fans worry that a ninth conference game could make bowl eligibility more difficult, especially for teams that hover around the six-win mark.
The ACC is expected to follow the SEC’s lead and move to a nine-game conference schedule, which would bring all major conferences in line with the new College Football Playoff standards.
This alignment could make playoff selection more straightforward, but it also raises the bar for teams like the Razorbacks, who will have to navigate an even tougher regular season.
The new schedule is set to debut in the 2026 season, giving Arkansas at least one year to prepare for a new era in SEC football.
For Arkansas, the move to nine SEC games represents both a challenge and an opportunity — a chance to prove itself against the best and to bring more big moments to Razorback Stadium.
They just have to figure a way to get the kind of players that can handle those bigger moments.
