Hog Calls

Young Hogs can shine before bowl

Arkansas lineman Brian Wallace runs drills during practice Aug. 13, 2014, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas lineman Brian Wallace runs drills during practice Aug. 13, 2014, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Sometimes it seems that coaches relish the bowl practices almost as much as the bowls themselves.

Bret Bielema is no exception. Especially after a year without those bowl practices Bielema always had during his seven years head coaching Wisconsin, but didn't have with his 3-9 Arkansas Razorbacks debut in 2013, he has again.

His vastly improved 6-6 Razorbacks are bound for the Texas Bowl against the Texas Longhorns in Houston, it was announced late Sunday afternoon.

Coaches love bowl practices because they can do more than just prepare their team for the bowl game. They can get a huge head start on next year's team and spring practice by devoting some of the bowl practice time working with the redshirts and currently seldom-used reserves possibly vaulting into key roles for 2015.

In fact with his Hogs fighting deep into November to get bowl eligible and ruefully remembering last year's no bowl practice December, Bielema altered his practice format.

"We actually started three weeks ago doing developmental practices after we were done with our regular practice," Bielema said last week. "At the time we weren't sure we were going to be bowl eligible and wanted to work with the guys. With the bowl practices there will be a huge focus on all of our returning players, our second and third and fourth-string guys that will be returning next fall."

Obvious redshirting freshman names to look for include offensive lineman Brian Wallace of Florissant, Mo. and defensive back Santos Ramirez of Shreveport.

Wallace a 6-6, 315 pounder that Bielema said he was tempted to play right away, seems the heir apparent to fill the right offensive tackle shoes that graduating senior Brey Cook leaves after the bowl game.

Throughout the season Bielema and Razorbacks players, especially receivers practicing against him, have glowingly referred to Ramirez and his potential.

Ramirez is listed as a cornerback but could figure in a variety of roles. Bielema, defensive coordinator Robb Smith and defensive backs coach Clay Jennings will restructure a secondary that graduates senior starting free safety Alan Turner and senior nickel back Tevin Mitchel.

On a defensive line graduating All-SEC defensive end Trey Flowers and with outstanding third-year sophomore defensive tackle Darius Philon taking the NCAA allowed exploratory process of weighing his 2015 NFL options vs. returning to the UA, Arman Watts of Florissant, Mo. and a teammate of Wallace's at Christian Brothers High School, could become one to remember for 2015.

"Arman Watts is another kid from the redshirt freshman group going through development," Bielema said. "He has put on about 30 pounds as a defensive lineman."

With Bielema's penchant to play plenty of tight ends and AJ Derby graduating, redshirting rookie Jack Kraus of Bentonville is another one to watch for in 2015 even with outstanding sophomore Hunter Henry and fellow lettermen Jeremy Sprinkle and Alex Voelzke returning.

"Jack continues to do very, very good things," Bielema said. "He has changed his body since coming to us from Bentonville and he is really, really looking good."

Sports on 12/08/2014

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