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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.
Blackstock moves to defensive tackle as Razorbacks seek depth after injury
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas senior offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock has been moved to defensive tackle amid mounting concerns about depth at the position, coach Sam Pittman said Wednesday on his first radio show of the season.
Blackstock, 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, shifted from right guard to defensive tackle during preseason camp following a knee injury to defensive tackle David Oke. Oke will miss the start of the 2025 season, Pittman said after the team’s second fall scrimmage. The move comes as Arkansas, which finished 4-8 last season, seeks to bolster its defensive line before the opener.
“We’re thin. Hell yeah, sure do,” Pittman said Wednesday night on his radio show, referencing the Razorbacks’ lack of depth on the defensive front. “We need another big over there and a guy that’s a veteran, so we’ll have to figure that out between now and Monday.”
Blackstock, a redshirt senior, started nine games at right tackle last season and appeared in all 12. This fall, redshirt freshman Kobe Branham moved ahead of Blackstock at right guard, allowing the coaching staff flexibility to address the defensive line shortage.
Pittman said the Razorbacks are confident in several young offensive linemen, including freshman Blake Cherry, who has moved into the backup left guard spot and could play either side if needed. E’Marion Harris, a returning starter at both guard and tackle, is currently ahead of Shaq McRoy, a redshirt freshman, at right tackle.
The Razorbacks’ defensive tackle rotation suffered a blow with Oke sidelined. Behind likely starters Cameron Ball, Danny Saili and Ian Geffrard, depth is limited to true freshmen and redshirt sophomore Kaleb James, who has seen little game action.
Blackstock is expected to see significant playing time, likely as the fourth defensive tackle.
“He’s big. He’s got great balance,” Pittman said. “He has great balance. I’m gonna say it, he really does. He’s been in a college weight room for a number of years.”
The position change is not ideal, Pittman said, but reflects the Razorbacks’ willingness to adjust amid injuries and a transfer portal that closed in April.
“When the portal closed back on April 25, my first thought was that they needed to stay healthy on the defensive line,” Pittman said. “We believe in our young freshmen, we do. Whether they’re ready or not right now, we’ve got to go have an honest conversation about that.”
Arkansas’ offense is expected to remain solid despite Blackstock’s move, thanks to improved depth and the emergence of underclassmen.
“There are plenty of easy moves they could make if an issue arises on the offensive line,” Pittman said.
Blackstock’s transition comes as Arkansas prepares for a challenging 2025 schedule. The Razorbacks open the season with a roster that will rely heavily on adaptability and contributions from new faces on the defensive line.
The move highlights the ongoing challenge for SEC teams in managing rosters with transfer rules and injury risks.
Arkansas will monitor Blackstock’s progress as he adjusts to his new position. The coaching staff will also continue to evaluate young defensive linemen as the Razorbacks look to shore up their rotation before the season begins.
Oke, a transfer who was expected to contribute immediately, could miss several games. His absence, according to Pittman, forced the staff to make “an honest conversation” about roster flexibility and player development.
The Razorbacks will open the 2025 season in September against Alabama A&M in Razorback Stadium at 3:15 p.m. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
Fans can also listen to the game on HitThatLine.com in selected broadcast markets or the Razorback Sports Network in ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.5 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Ruscin and Zach podcast August 20th
https://bleav.com/shows/hit-that-line/?post_type=gp_podcast_episode&p=5962&preview=true
Arkansas adds three-minute delay to field rushes to avoid SEC fines
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas football fans will be required to wait three minutes before rushing the field after games next season, as part of a new policy intended to comply with SEC rules and avoid a $500,000 fine for each violation.
The policy, announced Wednesday by the UA, will see a three-minute countdown placed on the videoboards at Razorback Stadium after a “momentous win.” The delay is meant to allow the visiting team, staff and officials to exit the field before fans join the Razorbacks to celebrate.
“The safety of our student-athletes and the student-athletes from the visiting institution is extremely important to all of us,” athletics director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “By implementing this new policy, we are allowing the visiting team to clear the field so our fans can safely join our team on the field to celebrate the big win. We look forward to our fans and students complying with this policy the first time we get to implement it so we can all enjoy a huge win.”
The SEC increased its field and court storming penalty to $500,000 per incident beginning with the 2025 season. The fine is awarded to the visiting institution after a conference event and to the league office in non-conference games.
Arkansas has a history of field rushes that resulted in fines, including $100,000 in 2021 after fans celebrated an upset win over Texas and $250,000 in 2024 following a win against Tennessee.
The SEC’s updated fine structure comes after a series of high-profile incidents across the conference, including Tennessee fans tearing down goalposts in 2022 and fines for Ole Miss and LSU in 2023. The NCAA leaves enforcement to individual conferences, but the SEC’s penalty is the largest among major college sports leagues.
Yurachek said the policy is intended to strike a balance between tradition and safety.
The Razorbacks open the 2025 season under coach Sam Pittman on Aug. 30 against Alabama A&M. The home schedule includes the team’s first-ever matchup with Notre Dame on Sept. 27, as well as games against Texas A&M, Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri.
The university is urging fans to comply with the new rule to avoid penalties and ensure safety.
“If that means waiting three minutes, I think we can all handle that,” Yurachek said. “The last thing we want is to lose a big win to a technicality or see someone get hurt when it could’ve been avoided.”
Whether the new delay will fully prevent premature field rushes is uncertain. Previous efforts to limit postgame field access, such as increased security and public address announcements, have met with limited success. The new $500,000 fine, payable to the opposing school, is expected to serve as a significant deterrent.
Field rushing is a long-standing part of college football culture, especially in the SEC. Arkansas’ new policy aims to preserve the tradition while aligning with conference regulations.
For now, Razorbacks fans will have to wait — at least three minutes — for their chance to celebrate on the field.
