Arkansas defensive lineman Cam Ball celebrated with teammates on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, after the Razorbacks defeated Texas Tech 39-26 in the Liberty Bowl at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis.
Following a 2023 season in which Arkansas designated game-by-game captains, head coach Sam Pittman has reverted to appointing **permanent team captains**, as voted on by the players.
Pittman announced Monday that **quarterback Taylen Green** and **offensive lineman Fernando Carmona** will serve as offensive captains. **Defensive lineman Cam Ball** and **linebacker Xavian Sorey** will be the defensive captains, while **punter Devin Bale** was chosen to represent special teams. A second special teams captain will be selected this week, with the full group to be announced Saturday.
The decision to assign multiple special teams leaders stems from the staff’s renewed emphasis on the kicking game. The permanent captain selections followed the team’s 7-6 season, culminating in the Liberty Bowl victory. Green, Ball, and defensive end **Landon Jackson**—now a third-round NFL Draft pick by the Buffalo Bills—were the most frequently chosen game captains throughout the year.
Pittman previously moved away from permanent captains due to leadership issues. In 2023, quarterback KJ Jefferson, a multi-year captain, appeared to lose connection with the team. Running back Raheim Sanders, also a captain, was limited by a knee injury. Safety Jalen Catalon, a captain in 2022, suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and gradually distanced himself from the team. All later transferred, as did former captains Simeon Blair, Joe Foucha, and Rakeem Boyd, the latter of whom left the team late in 2020.
Pittman emphasized the importance of leadership and player ownership during his weekly radio show.
> “It’s not just about power—it’s about **trust**,” Pittman said. “These guys deserve to be heard. It’s not just my team—it’s theirs, and it belongs to the state too.”
He shared that he met with four of the five captains earlier in the week to discuss team matters, describing it as a productive and mature conversation.
Honoring Their Fathers
Ball and wide receiver **CJ Brown** will honor their late fathers this season. Charles Ball passed away June 9 in Atlanta, while Carson Brown died Aug. 12 in Springfield, Missouri.
Pittman said both players will wear jersey additions to commemorate their fathers. CJ Brown also wore a pendant with his father’s picture and custom “Iceman Jr.” shoes—his father’s nickname—during SEC Media Days.
Speaking publicly about his father’s passing, Brown said leaning on teammates during this time has been vital.
> “My dad played a major role in supporting my dreams. Being around my teammates really helped,” he said.
The Razorbacks moved their mock game to last Friday so players could attend Carson Brown’s funeral in Bentonville.
Light Moments and Connections
During the radio show, Pittman jokingly shared that he calls safety **Miguel Mitchell** “M\&M,” possibly due to his fondness for the candy.
Mitchell later shared that Alabama A\&M head coach **Sam Shade** had coached him during the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game in high school, a surprising connection for host Chuck Barrett.
Weather for Opener
Saturday’s opener is expected to see mild, sunny weather, with a high of 82°F and little chance of rain—cooler than usual for late August thanks to a cold front that passed through on Thursday.
Familiar Faces, New Foes
Arkansas will face **Alabama A\&M** for the first time on Saturday. This marks the eighth new opponent for the Razorbacks in their last 50 games. Upcoming games against **Arkansas State** and **Notre Dame** will further expand that list.
Other first-time matchups in recent years include games against Georgia Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Cincinnati, BYU, Liberty, Western Carolina, and Kent State.
Alabama A\&M Breakdown
The Bulldogs went 6-6 overall and 4-4 in SWAC play last year. Notably, they were evenly scored against, 368-368, over the course of the season. They were outscored in first halves but bounced back strongly after halftime.
Their offense averaged 30.7 points per game, ranking 28th in the FCS, while their defense allowed the same number of points on average—ranking 91st.
Roster Diversity
Alabama A\&M’s roster spans 17 states and Canada. Notable players include **Tyrell Lawrence**, a 6-7, 355-pound lineman from Milton, Ontario, who shares Canadian roots with Arkansas’s Rohan Jones.
Two Arkansans also play for the Bulldogs: linebacker **Jonathan Goins** and offensive lineman **Devin Pitts**, both former Arkansas-Pine Bluff players. Pitts, a redshirt senior, has had stints at multiple schools, including Compton College and Mississippi Valley State.
The team includes 53 players from Alabama, 14 from Florida, 13 from Georgia, and 7 from Texas.
Long Championship Odds
Arkansas was given 300-1 odds to win the College Football Playoff, tied with BYU, Iowa State, and Kansas State. Texas led the odds at 5-1, followed by Georgia and Penn State at 13-2, and Ohio State at 7-1. Arkansas is set to face both Texas and Notre Dame (10-1) this season.
Within the SEC, Arkansas ranked 13th in odds, ahead of only Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt.