FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman announced on Monday that two tight ends have been dismissed from the team for violating team rules. Ty Washington and Var’keyes Gumms are no longer with the program, and when asked about their potential return, Pittman stated that it would not be possible.
Washington, a redshirt sophomore from Georgia, played in seven of the team’s eight games this season, including one snap against Mississippi State on Saturday. Over his career at Arkansas, he recorded 14 receptions for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Gumms, a redshirt junior from Houston who transferred from North Texas prior to last season, appeared in five games this year but had not played since the Razorbacks’ win against Tennessee on October 5. He recorded one reception this season and four in total during his time at Arkansas. He was listed as “Out” for the Mississippi State game for undisclosed reasons.
These dismissals raise concerns about the depth of the tight end position for the Razorbacks (5-3, 3-2 SEC). In their recent victory over Mississippi State, Andreas Paaske and starter Luke Hasz excelled, combining for 7 receptions, 78 yards, and 4 touchdowns in a 58-25 win.
The remaining tight ends on the roster include Hasz, Paaske, redshirt freshman Shamar Easter, and walk-ons Maddox Lassiter and Spencer Henslee. Lassiter, from Warren, has primarily played fullback in short-yardage situations, while redshirt junior offensive lineman Josh Street has occasionally taken on tight end duties as well.
Pittman expressed confidence in Lassiter, saying, “He has played a lot of ball, so I have a lot of confidence in him.” He added that they may need to expand Lassiter’s responsibilities and explore additional strategies for the position moving forward.
