Arkansas football sees former starter leave program, plus injury updates prior to UAPB
Arkansas football long snapper Eli Stein has left the program.
Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman announced the departure Wednesday during the Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference.
Stein started 23 games over the past two seasons but, according to Pittman, redshirt junior Ashton Ngo won the job this fall. Both were listed as co-starters on the depth chart released Monday.
“Ashton Ngo was our starter at punt snapping anyway, and it was a very close battle with the short snapping, so he was gonna be that regardless of what happened and certainly will take over the short snapping as well,” Pittman said.
Ngo redshirted last season, his first year with the Razorbacks. The Kansas native spent two years at Hutchinson Community College (Kan.) before enrolling at Arkansas as a preferred walk-on. Pittman confirmed Wednesday that Ngo is now on scholarship.
Stein recorded 118 snaps in 2023 according to Pro Football Focus, making every snap on special teams during the season. He was a member of the 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List, annually given to the best long snapper in the nation.
Injury updates on Armstrong, Dubinion
Pittman also announced Wednesday that wide receiver Andrew Armstrong and running back Rashod Dubinion would both be available to play in Thursday’s season opener against UAPB (6:30 p.m., ESPNU), but Dubinion is much more likely to receive playing time.
Pittman doesn’t believe Armstrong is ready, and he certainly won’t be a starter. Armstrong was the Hogs’ leading receiver in 2023, racking up 764 yards and five touchdowns on 56 catches. Potential options to replace Armstrong include 29-year old former MLB player Monte Harrison and true freshman CJ Brown.
Dubinion is healthy and will play against UAPB, according to Pittman. He was listed as a co-starter with Ja’Quinden Jackson on the depth chart and is the most experienced running back on the roster.
