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FAYETTEVILLE — It’s hard to call the rebuild at Arkansas slow. It’s Bret Bielema’s third year and some are calling the Razorbacks a darkhorse in the SEC West.
Granted, those predictions are becoming fewer with the announcement that leading returning rusher Jonathan Williams is out for the season after foot surgery.
But the roster doesn’t lack for talent. There are more running backs behind Williams. Hunter Henry is perhaps the best tight end in the country (or close to it). The offensive and defensive lines are big and still probably somewhat underrated.
Arkansas isn’t Ohio State. The Hogs probably aren’t even Alabama. Not talent-wise, anyway. But considering the disaster that was the Razorbacks roster upon Bielema’s arrival, it is now back to decent, if not a little ahead.
Offense (Two-TE)
QB1: Brandon Allen
QB2: Austin Allen
RB1: Alex Collins
RB2: Kody Walker
It’s somewhat unfair to freshman Rawleigh Williams III to leave him off the two-deep. Arkansas will rotate its tailbacks more than any other team in the SEC, probably. Williams should see close 100 carries, perhaps more depending on the rest of his fall.
Z WR1: Keon Hatcher
Z WR2: Drew Morgan
X WR1: Dominique Reed
X WR1: Jared Cornelius
Y WR1: Jared Cornelius
Y WR2: Duwop Mitchell
TE1: Hunter Henry
TE2: Jeremy Sprinkle
Cornelius is the third-best wide receiver on the team. On the rare occasions the Razorbacks put more than two out there at a time, he’s a near lock to be in the slot. The team will play with two tight ends most snaps. Increased passing game success hinges on the junior-college transfer Reed’s development.
LT1: Denver Kirkland
LT2: Johnny Gibson
LG1: Sebastian Tretola
LG2: Josh Allen
C1: Mitch Smothers
C2: Zach Rogers
RG1: Frank Ragnow
RG2: Marcus Danenhauer
RT1: Dan Skipper
RT2: Brian Wallace
There is still some moderate concern about the depth along the offensive line. The starters are set and Brian Wallace is the back-up about whom the coaches don’t worry. Three of the other reserves are newcomers and the final is a little-used senior.
Defense (4-3)
DE1: JaMichael Winston
DE2: Deatrich Wise
DT1: DeMarcus Hodge
DT2: Bijhon Jackson
DT1: Taiwan Johnson
DT2: Hjalte Froholdt
DE1: Tevin Beanum
DE2: Jeremiah Ledbetter
The defensive line is the deepest unit on the roster. It is probably not the best as there likely won’t be an All-SEC selection at season’s end. That said, Arkansas can legitimately roll 10 different defensive lineman through a unit coach Bret Bielema calls the deepest of his career.
SAM1: Josh Williams
SAM2: Dwayne Eugene
MIKE1: Khalia Hackett
MIKE2: Josh Harris
WILL1: Brooks Ellis
WILL2: Dre Greenlaw
Serious concerns lie here. Ellis was the starter in the middle last year, but he’s moved to Martrell Speight’s spot on the weakside. His replacement at MIKE, Hackett, has struggled since making the transition. Harris is nipping at his heels. But at 5-foot-10, if Harris turns into the starter, the Razorbacks may have problems.
CB1: Jared Collins
CB2: Kevin Richardson
OR
CB2: Henre’ Toliver
CB1: D.J. Dean
CB2: Ryan Pulley
OR
CB2: Henre’ Toliver
FS1: Joshua Liddell
FS2: De’Andre Coley
SS1: Rohan Gaines
SS2: Santos Ramirez
There is a bit of a catch in the secondary. Toliver may be the best of any of the cornerbacks but he’s best on his own in the slot. If either Dean or Collins went down, Toliver slides in. If Dean or Collins need a blow, Pulley or Richardson slide in short-term.
PK1: Cole Hedlund
PK2: Adam McFain
P1: Toby Baker
KR: Alex Collins
PR: Jared Cornelius
Eric Bolin is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football and Arkansas.
