How will Arkansas utilize it's studs at tight end?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - When Arkansas put a close to its season with a blowout loss to Missouri, 48-14, it seemed like the roster was going to be depleted of talent by way of the transfer portal. The Razorbacks went 4-8 and missed postseason play for the first time during the Sam Pittman era. 

Still, with every reason to leave, two gifted tight ends decided to remain on campus with belief in a turnaround in 2024. Former 4-star signee Luke Hasz and redshirt freshman Ty Washington were huge assets to the offense a season ago. However, their snaps on the field together were limited since Washington never saw the field until an injury to Hasz.

Washington, a Georgia native, started the next four games for the Razorbacks and was able to finish as the team's fifth leading receiver. He caught 11 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but suffered a season-ending injury during the first quarter against Florida. His presence was sorely missed the remainder of the season as Arkansas was short on pass catchers at tight end.

Hasz was well on his way to freshman All-American status under highly regarded tight end coach Morgan Turner. The Bixby, Oklahoma native still finished third on the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns despite playing only 4.25 games because of a broken collar bone suffered against Texas A&M. Despite the setback, he managed to catch 16 passes for 253 yards.

The expectation for the Razorbacks in 2024 should be both players starting and complementing each other as weapons for the new Bobby Petrino offense. Last week, a discussion was had about Arkansas feeding its studs in the Petrino offense and if they had any. While the Hogs may be limited at the receiver position based off of last season's production, Washington and Hasz are, indeed, proven studs.

“I’ve never really called a play just because, ‘Oh, this is a fancy play, let’s call it,'” Petrino said while at Texas A&M. "I call plays for players."

According to Petrino's book, he likes to find his studs early and often in order to have his players zoned in on the task at hand.

“Great players play better if you get them the ball early,” Petrino wrote. “Confidence and momentum really go together.”

Due to Hasz and Washington's athletic skill sets, they are both able to create separation and gain yards after the catch with regularity. Petrino uses plenty of 12 personnel, which in layman's terms is one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers in a specific play. Meaning defense can't home in on just one offensive tendency because both tight ends can block or catch on any play call.

When he returned to Arkansas, Petrino was asked about what kind of offense he would call for next season. In typical fashion, he said it's about players not plays.

"I honestly don’t think a lot has changed simply because I don’t think it’s about plays," Petrino said. "A lot of folks will raise an eyebrow at that. Playcalling is over-rated, it's more about execution. It’s about how you use the players that you have."