Arkansas offensive line signee Paul Ramirez of San Bernardino (Calif.) Valley College is well aware the Razorbacks' offensive line was a bit of a scrambled situation during spring practice.
That's made it even more clear to Ramirez (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) there is a big opportunity for him to jump right in the mix for offensive line coach Kurt Anderson and coach Bret Bielema upon his arrival in Fayetteville on May 29.
"They have let me know that no time will be given, it will be earned," Ramirez said. "But coach Anderson is expecting me to come in ready to play, and that is what I am planning on doing. I just need to get some more weight on me.
"Right now I am weighing about 285 and played at 290 last season. I will probably be 290, 295 when I get there, and once the season gets here I expect to be around 310 or 320."
Anderson, Bielema and Arkansas strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert have tried to give Ramirez a head start on getting ready.
"I have contact with them on a daily basis," Ramirez said. "They sent me a video of drills to do, and I just got the playbook two days ago so I'm studying that."
Ramirez, who is set to graduate May 26, chose Arkansas over Louisville, Indiana, Arizona State, Memphis, Purdue and others.
Part of that was the opportunity to play for Anderson, the former Buffalo Bills offensive line coach.
"He is just a great coach, really knows what he is doing and knows what it takes to get to the NFL," Ramirez said. "He says it all and just wants you to get better, not just as an individual, but as a group.
"He is the type of guy that is going to give everyone a shot and it is up to you to take the responsibility to do what you can."
Anderson ended the spring with Frank Ragnow at center, Brian Wallace and Hjalte Froholdt at the guards and Dan Skipper and Colton Jackson at the tackles.
Ramirez could play either guard or tackle for the Razorbacks.
"I think I have good feet and can do whatever is needed," Ramirez said. "Coach Anderson has told me to just show up and not worry about my position," Ramirez said. "He just wants to get the best five out there."
Sports on 05/05/2016