Sources: Rafe Peavey considering transfer

Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey (2) throws a pass during warm ups before an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Saturday Sept. 26, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey (2) throws a pass during warm ups before an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Saturday Sept. 26, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

— Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey is considering transferring, according to sources.

Sources indicate that SMU is among the schools in which Peavey is interested. Peavey, a redshirt sophomore, would have to sit out this season if he transfers to another Football Bowl Subdivision program, and would have two years of eligibility remaining in 2017.

Austin Allen won the Razorbacks' starting quarterback battle over Peavey during spring practice. Peavey was in contention to be the team's backup quarterback this preseason, but has been hampered by an off-season back injury.

Redshirt freshman Ty Storey and true freshman Cole Kelley took all of Arkansas' snaps at backup quarterback during the team's final preseason scrimmage last Saturday.

Peavey was held out of the scrimmage so coaches could get a better look at Storey and Kelley. Following the scrimmage, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema indicated Peavey had not progressed as quickly as coaches had hoped he would.

"He does everything right," Bielema said. "He asks all the right questions. He puts in as much work as anybody, if not more. He's playing with an injured back. He's doing all the things we ask him to do, but the bottom line is performance and where we are, and I needed to see those other two guys to see if they could be beyond him.

"We have a lot of guys in the program who do everything right, but that doesn't automatically guarantee them a spot in the two-deep. We've got to earn it."

If Peavey leaves the team, Arkansas would be left with four scholarship quarterbacks this season. The Razorbacks also have quarterbacks committed in the next two recruiting classes.

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