FAYETTEVILLE -- Linebacker Randy Ramsey made his presence felt Saturday in his first college scrimmage.
Ramsey, a freshman from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., worked with Arkansas' second-team defense and had 6 tackles, including 3 for losses totaling 22 yards with 2 sacks. He also had a fumble recovery.
Coach Bret Bielema said Ramsey has looked better in practice since the Razorbacks put on full pads.
"When we're not in pads, really just kind of a kid wandering around, but now he understands," Bielema said. "He's a very, very intense player."
Bielema said Ramsey, 6-4, weighed 206 pounds when he reported and is now at 224.
"He's got the guns going and the chest," Bielema said. "He's just rock-solid. He plays with his feet underneath him. He plays on the balls of his feet."
Bielema said Ramsey and freshman Dwayne Eugene are the two newcomers who can probably help the Razorbacks at linebacker the quickest.
Incentive plan
Earlier this week Bret Bielema said he wanted only four wide receivers working with the first-team offense -- Demetrius Wilson, Jared Cornelius, Drew Morgan and Cody Hollister.
That apparently drew the attention of Keon Hatcher, whose 27 catches are tops among the returning wideouts.
"Keon Hatcher has really responded since then," Bielema said.
Hatcher had three catches for 65 yards Saturday.
"I think we've got five very, very good wide receivers," Bielema said. "A definite increase from where we were just depth-wise from a year ago. ... I love those guys. I just think the five of these guys bring something."
Injury report
The Razorbacks had a lengthy list of players who missed Saturday's scrimmage because of injuries, but Coach Bret Bielema said none are thought to be serious.
Tailback Alex Collins, a preseason second-team All-SEC pick, had a mild groin injury and was the most notable absence.
"He had actually had a good camp up until that," Bielema said. "We thought he might be able to go [Saturday], but I would rather get some good, quality work with him all the way up to camp."
Bielema said Collins might be able to return to practice Monday.
Others players who missed the scrimmage were cornerback Tevin Mitchel (shoulder), defensive tackle Bijhon Jackson (ankle), receiver Jojo Robinson (hamstring), cornerback Santos Ramirez (calf) and defensive end Mitchell Loewen (knee).
Mitchel and Loewen continue to recover from off-season surgeries.
Scrimmage nicks
Tailback Jonathan Williams had a hamstring injury during the scrimmage and fullback Patrick Arinze (shoulder) and safety Davyon "Sleepy" McKinney came out after colliding on a tackle that caused Arinze to fumble.
"[Arinze] was cleared to play, but because he fumbled he went on to the locker room," Bielema said. "Sleepy also got got banged up, but I don't think there is anything of significance there."
Linebacker Braylon Mitchell and defensive tackle DeMarcus Hodge left the scrimmage after appearing to become overheated.
Work to do
Freshman Frank Ragnow, who is making the transition from tackle to center, has drawn praise from the coaches, but Saturday showed he's still new to the position. Ragnow and quarterback Austin Allen twice had problems on snaps, and when Allen was in the Shotgun formation Ragnow almost snapped the ball over his head on one play.
He loves La.
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema touted the Hogs' players from Louisiana on Saturday.
The group includes defensive tackle DeMarcus Hodge, guard Luke Charpentier, linebackers Otha Peters and Dwayne Eugene, receiver Jared Cornelius and cornerbacks Santos Ramirez and Henre Toliver.
"I might send 10 coaches over there," Bielema said. "Those Louisiana kids play ball the right way."
Receivers coach Michael Smith has Louisiana as his designated recruiting area.
B.A. to B.A.
One of quarterback Brandon Allen's 12 completions went to himself. Defensive end Trey Flowers deflected a pass that came back to Allen, who caught the ball for no gain.
Night moves
After scrimmaging Saturday morning, the Razorbacks held a practice Saturday night focusing on special teams.
"It will include all four phases of the kicking game in a night game situation," Coach Bret Bielema said. "We can practice kicking during the one-a-days during the day, but it is just a totally different feel for returners in the evening. So the way I laid out camp this year is that our double days will be at night in the stadium with a huge emphasis in the kicking game."
Bielema said cornerback D.J. Dean is the top punt returner through the first week and that receivers Damon Mitchell, Cody Hollister, Demetrius Williams and Jojo Robinson are getting a look returning punts.
Tailback Korliss Marshall, who averaged 22 yards on 19 kickoff returns with a long of 87 yards, likely will be the top kickoff returner again.
"He's an extremely gifted football player," Bielema said. "In my career, he's one of the most explosive players I've ever coached."
Bielema said there a lot more players competing for the returning spots than last season.
"Last year we were fielding punts and kicks and there were like six guys back there total," Bielema said. "Now we've got 20 or 22 guys and I have to narrow it down to get to 15 and then narrow it down to get to five. So recruiting and development makes a huge difference in your program."
Tough it out
Cornerback Jared Collins scrimmaged Saturday after dislocating his finger. The injury required stitches.
"I have to give him a lot of credit when we didn't know if he was going to be able to go," Bielema said.
Just a reminder
Running backs Kody Walker and Denzell Evans and tight Jeremy Sprinkle ran a lap around the field holding the ball after having it knocked from their grasp by defenders Carroll Washington, TQ Coleman and D.J. Dean.
Cool summer
The Razorbacks had to get adjusted to some intense heat and humidity the first week of practice after a relatively mild summer by normal standards.
Bret Bielema said that according to data kept by strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert, there were five days this summer in which the Razorbacks had workouts when it was 90 degrees or hotter compared to 30 such days a year ago.
Derby slowed
AJ Derby, who moved from quarterback to tight end last spring and has been drawing rave reviews from the coaches, had two catches for 11 yards Saturday.
"He actually bruised his knee a little bit yesterday and was really stiff when he got up today," Bielema said. "I don't think he was quite in full effect. He was a lot better up until today in terms of production."
Sports on 08/10/2014