Practice notes and observations - 4/8

[ScottieBordelon]

Arkansas’ football team held practice No. 11 of the spring inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.

The Razorbacks worked out in full pads and under a clear sky. Here are some notes and observations from the viewing window:

• KJ Jefferson looked terrific in the team periods. He had a handful of big completions and looked completely in control and composed in the pocket. The best throws he made went to receivers Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa, and tight end Luke Hasz.

Jefferson rolled to his left and hit Armstrong along the sideline for a roughly 20-yard gain. Armstrong was being defended by Dwight McGlothern on the play. Later, Jefferson stepped up in the pocket and put great touch on a pass around 15 yards downfield for TeSlaa, who picked up solid yardage after the catch. His other noteworthy completion went to Hasz on a deep ball down the right sideline.

• TeSlaa made the catch of the practice in a 2-on-2 slot coverage drill in the red zone, reeling in a pass with one hand. It appeared that he got one foot down on the play.

• The Razorbacks’ top linebackers each had impressive play or two in team work.

Chris “Pooh” Paul crashed the left edge of the offensive line and stood up a running back behind the line of scrimmage. Jordan Crook then made a stop in space after running back Rashod Dubinion caught a pass in the left flat. And transfer linebacker Antonio Grier was in on a pass breakup roughly 10 yards downfield.

I have been impressed with this group throughout the spring. It is a bunch that runs well and is forceful around the football. Freshmen Carson Dean and Brad Spence are physically impressive as well.

• Former Razorbacks linebacker Brooks Ellis was at practice.

• Here is the offensive and defensive alignment from an early team period:

Offense

QB: KJ Jefferson / Jacolby Criswell / Cade Fortin
RB: Rocket Sanders / Rashod Dubinion / AJ Green
TE: Nathan Bax / Luke Hasz / Ty Washington
WR: Andrew Armstrong / Landon Rogers / Marlon Crockett
WR: Isaiah Sategna / Bryce Stephens / Kamron Bibby
WR: Isaac TeSlaa / Sam Mbake / Kalil Girault
LT: Devon Manuel / Andrew Chamblee / Kai Hamilton
LG: Brady Latham / Cole Carson / Paris Patterson
C: Beaux Limmer / Josh Street / Eli Henderson
RG: Joshua Braun / E’Marion Harris / Joey Su’a
RT: Patrick Kutas / Ty’Kieast Crawford / Brooks Edmonson

Defense

DE: Landon Jackson / Trajan Jeffcoat / John Morgan
DT: Taurean Carter / Marcus Miller / JJ Hollingsworth
DT: Eric Gregory / Kyle Thompson / Jon Hill
DE: Jashaud Stewart / Zach Williams / Nico Davillier
LB: Chris Paul / Carson Dean / Kaden Henley
LB: Antonio Grier / Jordan Crook / Mani Powell
CB: Dwight McGlothern / LaDarrius Bishop / Aidan McCowan
CB: Lorando Johnson / Jaylon Braxton / Landon Phipps
S: Jayden Johnson / TJ Metcalf / Dallas Young
S: Hudson Clark / Braylon Watson / John Paul Pickens
Nickel: Jaylen Lewis / Courtney Snelling / Dylan Hasz

[jacksonhog]

Is McAdoo hurt this spring?

[ScottieBordelon]

He was injured early in the spring, yes, but he came back after spring break. I listed him in the three-deep in the team’s two other practices this week.

[youdaman]

People worried about these transfer WR coming in… they all can play and were brought in for a reason.Teslaa is a great route runner and has tremendous hands and Armstrong can flat out fly . Broden is a tremendous playmaker when he gets healthy…
Hasz is the stud I thought he would be and all of these pieces of the puzzle are going to make this offense potentially very good if we can put together a solid OL.

[RichardDavenport]

Some things I gathered after attending Saturday’s practice.

There’s a lot of optimism within the program and some think next season could be special.

Several said the same thing that Pittman said about Landon Jackson having a really good spring.

They think Trajan Jeffcoat will be a problem for opponents. John Morgan has been what they thought he would be. Very encouraged by his play.

They’re very happy with Lorando Johnson and his physicality.

Luke Hasz is going to be special.

The WR transfers are showing why Arkansas wanted them in the first place. Very happy with what they’ve shown this spring.

KJ is throwing the ball better than ever. One person credited Enos for that.

The team has been looking more and more like an SEC team each season under Pittman. I told someone this team passes the eye test more so than the previous three seasons and the person said most definitely.

[pike1205]

Curious with practice wrapping up have we heard any rumblings of guys entering the spring portal?

[youdaman]

Sounds Great Richard!! Just need to get our top five on the OL situated and I think this offense can do big things…

Defense going to a four-man front and being more aggressive I think will lead to a lot more turnovers and three and outs.

[eaglehog5]

About this John Paul Pickens. First of all, I hope he has some meat on his bones. Secondly, would he consider pulling a Joe ’ Theesman’ and changing his name to Pickems?