- Arkansas opened practice in the Razorback Drill today, which pits a running back and two offensive linemen against two defensive linemen. Walk-on RB Jermarcus Arnold scored untouched on the first run of the day, then freshmen DL Enoch Jackson and Collin Clay teamed up to bring him down on touch No. 2.
Arizona State transfer running back Trelon Smith, who coaches and players have praised more this preseason than the team’s likely starters, also scored fairly easy. Rakeem Boyd said Monday he really likes how shifty yet aggressive Smith runs. Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock thinks Smith has a chance to be special.
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According to video on Arkansas football’s Instagram story, tight end Hayden Johnson beat linebacker Andrew Parker pretty good a couple of times in 1-on-1s. Treylon Burks put safety Myles Mason on the ground, too, then they stalemated in round No. 2.
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Razorbacks quarterbacks worked rollouts and throws into the flat with tight ends. I saw Chase Harrell make a nice two-handed running grab on a ball that was high. Didn’t see many drops, which is obviously a plus. QBs and receivers also hit on crossing routes. Mike Woods made things look easy. Really like his hands.
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Toward the end of the open portion of practice I noticed Burks was not wearing his knee brace. He tore the ACL in his left knee in the fifth week of Warren’s 2018 season. If he is going through drills and 1-on-1s without the brace then I would assume he is feeling pretty good about the strength he’s built up in the knee. Big positive.
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Scouts from the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens were in attendance today.
Injuries
Freshman tight end Hudson Henry was the lone offensive player in a no-contact green jersey. He ran routes and caught balls from the quarterbacks again Tuesday. Also saw freshman offensive lineman Beaux Limmer get some attention from a trainer. From afar it appeared like he was pointing to his right hip, but he did return to group offensive line work with Dustin Fry.
There were a pair of projected starters in the secondary in green jerseys - safety Kamren Curl and corner Jarques McClellion. Don’t believe it to be anything serious, but LaDarrius Bishop got his right ankle taped up before practice. We are hopeful to get an update on those guys today when we talk with defensive assistant coaches after noon.
Nick Fulwider, who was absent from practice last Friday and this Monday, returned to the field wearing green. Big plus to get Fulwider and Isaiah Nichols back this week to add depth at defensive tackle.
Notable absences
DB Greg Brooks (unknown, out 2nd straight day)
RB T.J. Hammonds (concussion protocol, out 2nd straight day)
DE Eric Gregory (left foot, out several weeks; replaced on camp roster by former Farmington HS player Reid Turner)
WR Daulton Hyatt (hamstring, replaced on the 110-man roster by freshman receiver Brett Nabors)
OL Noah Gatlin (out, ACL)