Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Dazmin James (83) runs after a catch during the second quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Dramatic Telling of How Meeting Between James, Pittman May Have Gone Down

Originally posted on Arkansas Razorbacks on SI
By Kent Smith | Last updated Jan 1, 2025 10:45 AM ET

The news that Dazmin James plan to dip his toes into the transfer portal wasn't shocking. It's simply the way business is done these days.

How fans reacted was a little surprising, especially the part where they kept claiming over and over that Arkansas coach Sam Pittman had no clue James was fast. Apparently sarcasm is too high of a level of communication for a lot of people to understand.

With no opportunity to speak to either the coach or player available, all anyone has left is imagination. So, with it being a new year and the world in desperate need of a little creativity and fun, here is a dramatic characterization of how this whole scenario may have played out.

SCENE: Interior of PITTMAN'S office in the athletics complex. Hudl videos of incoming transfer recruits play on a computer screen next to a cup of coffee that is beginning to turn cold with "World's Greatest Libery Bowl Coach" written on the mug. A knock at the door is heard over the country music playing over a set of speakers.

Now, obviously, no one knows if that's how it played out or even if James did things the right way and had talks with Pittman before he decided to say he intends to get in the portal. It would be a financially poor decision to have done otherwise.

However, the points made in this dramatization are exactly the points that need to be made. There's more to this than the All-American held on bench for two seasons because the head coach didn't know he was fast narrative some fans are trying to spin.

Also, there is truth to the fact James has more value now than he did last week. However, there is context that greatly diminishes how high that value is for coaches who have seen him firsthand for a couple of years now.

As everyone has seen, the door both opens and closes when it comes to the transfer portal and the hinges are pretty strong as proven by running back Braylen Russell. Fans just need to let the process play out and trust that it is what it is.

If James is back as a Razorback, then there is good reason and there is cause to believe the Liberity Bowl isn't just a flash in the pan. However, if he ultimately leaves, there has to be trust that there is good reason to let him walk out the door.

This isn't a Luke Hasz or Chris "Pooh" Paul situation. James isn't going to command more money than Arkansas has available to pay and isn't someone who is such a great talent that Pittman is going to go out of his way trying to figure out a way to keep him financially.

This will be a decision of value. Does what was shown for two years equal what coaches who saw in one game think James is worth?

That's it. Nothing more.