Razorbacks Report

Tailback absorbs few jabs

Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams carries the ball during practice Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams carries the ball during practice Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema has elected to hold Jonathan Williams out of live tackling work all spring, taking wear and tear off of the senior tailback who ran for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

Of course the exclusive treatment, reserved last year for defensive end Trey Flowers, comes at the cost of ribbing by his teammates.

"Every time," quarterback Brandon Allen said. "We call him 'The Man,' because he's the man. Every time he gets held out, he's mad about it because he wants to go play."

Williams laughed hard when told about Allen's comments and said the grief from teammates is real.

"Trey's even giving me grief just because people gave him grief last year," Williams said. "So he'll come back and watch the scrimmage and make a couple of jokes."

Williams said he stood next to Bielema in the first scrimmage and tried to pull his helmet on and play.

"Hopefully he saw me standing next to him ready to go," Williams said. "But I understand the logic of it. ... It'll pay off in the future."

New video

The producers behind the "Tretola for Heisman" video last year are at it again, with a new segment set to be ready soon.

"It will air at the Hogspys," said guard Sebastian Tretola, whose touchdown pass to Alan D'Appollonio on a fake field goal last year led to the first video. "That's going to be exciting. You thought the first one was interesting, wait until this second one is on air.

"There's no dancing in this one, just a lot of funny moments."

'Train wreck'

Defensive coordinator Robb Smith has undergone a physical transformation since the winter like many of the Arkansas players, losing 17 pounds in a matter of weeks at the urging of his wife Amy.

"I was a train wreck," Smith said. "My wife told me that every day, and you can quote me on that. There was encouragement."

Smith said his eating regimen while on the road recruiting led to his weight gain.

"I actually do OK during the season," he said. "It's eating that hamburger at 11:30 at night when you've been recruiting all day that gets you."

Cornerback Jared Collins said the players can tell Smith lost weight.

"Coach Smith has always been fast and quick, but now he's even faster and quicker," Collins said. "He can really get after us.

Saturday plan

Saturday's 11 a.m. practice will be open to Razorback Foundation and football season ticket holders at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, weather permitting.

Seating will be restricted to the west side bleachers, and fans are encouraged to park in lots west of Razorback Road and in the Meadow Street parking garage.

After the modified scrimmage, team members and coaching staff will be available for meet and greets and autograph signing. Up to six guests can accompany Razorback Foundation members and season ticket holders.

First reps for Hodge

Senior DeMarcus Hodge, a backup last season, has worked at first-team nose guard this week with sophomore Bijhon Jackson at the second-team spot.

"Hodge is doing a great job for us," defensive line coach Rory Segrest said. "He's doing things exactly the way we're asking him to do them.

"He's really come along. He's lost some weight. He's moving a little bit better."

Segrest said Jackson also is practicing well.

"We're in a situation now all the way across the board where we've got good competition with our ones and twos and even some of our threes pushing for those spots," Segrest said. "We're just going to continue to roll those guys in.

"The main thing I want to look at is some of our second guys against our first guys and see how they match up."

Sports on 04/17/2015

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