Arkansas just took a massive hit before their 2025 football season that will have Sam Pittman wincing in a must-win season
2025 is the biggest season that Sam Pittman has had as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Some were calling for his job last year. Actually, most people called for his job. The Razorbacks won a bowl game, but it just feels like that's not good enough right now. They need a season where […]
2025 is the biggest season that Sam Pittman has had as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Some were calling for his job last year. Actually, most people called for his job.
The Razorbacks won a bowl game, but it just feels like that's not good enough right now. They need a season where they can be one of the best SEC teams in the league. No, they don't have to win the SEC, but it would be awesome to see them near the top.
Now, after some recent news, that could be very hard to do.
Razorbacks lose wide receiver for some time
Ismael Cisse, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, joined the Arkansas Razorbacks in January 2025 after transferring from Stanford. Cisse, the 6'0" wide receiver, was a three-star recruit out of Cherry Creek High School in the Denver, Colorado area, where he helped win four straight state titles.
At Stanford, he redshirted in 2023, playing in only two games, and in 2024, he started five of 12 games, catching 26 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. His best game was against Cal Poly, with eight receptions for 79 yards and a score, though his production dropped late in the season.
Cisse transferred to Arkansas partly due to his familiarity with coaches Ronnie Fouch and Dylan Cruz, who also came from Stanford, and his fit in Bobby Petrino’s offensive system. He was expected to be a key part of the Razorbacks’ rebuilt receiving group for 2025, especially after losing their top pass-catchers from 2024, along with Jordan Anthony. Without him, their receiver room doesn't look as good as it does with the two of them.
Cisse showed promise in spring practice, earning first-team reps and praise for his playmaking and physicality. However, in July 2025, he broke his wrist in a weight room accident, requiring surgery with no set return timeline. This injury could impact Arkansas’ passing game, which relies on quarterback Taylen Green and new transfers like O’Mega Blake and Raylen Sharpe, as the team prepares for fall camp starting August 1.
With this being a must-win season for Sam Pittman, who is on the hot seat, it's looking like he won't have anything easy.
Arkansas football lost one of the closest players to a generational talent we have seen in some time
They may feel that in 2024.
