Arkansas offensive line coach Eric Mateos knows the pressure is on for his position group to make major strides this season, and he has borrowed a catchphrase from the NFL for some added motivation.
“We talk in our room,” Mateos said. “Jeff Stoutland with the Eagles uses the phrase ‘Hungry dogs run faster.’ We’re going to say hungry Hogs run faster.”
The offensive line struggles were glaring for the Razorbacks a season ago, and there is no question a makeover was needed.
Mateos was hired to replace Cody Kennedy, head coach Sam Pittman has spent a significant amount more time with the offensive line and the staff went into the portal to bring in an influx of transfer talent.
Arkansas is expected to be flanked by a pair of newcomers at tackle in Keyshawn Blackstock (Michigan State) and Fernando Carmona (San Jose State), who compliment each other well and have embodied exactly what Mateos is looking for in the room.
“They’re Hogs is what they are,” Mateos said. “Those guys have done a nice job. Both of them have their flees, just like every O-Lineman has. We talk a lot in our room, every player has their edge. Everybody has a God-given gift that makes them better than other people at that thing.
“Keyshawn is a little bit stiff,” Mateos said. “He’s a little bit stiffer than you’d want an O-lineman to be. But he’s got unbelievable feet, unbelievable speed and unbelievable hands. Is he the smoothest mover, no. But, he’s extremely twitchy and fast.
“Junior is a little more smooth, and I wish (Blackstock) had a little more smoothness to him. Or he has a little more twitch, and he wish he was a little smoother at times. Both of those guys have been playing well.”
Arkansas opens the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 when it faces UAPB at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock (Ark.). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT), and the game will air on ESPNU.