HOG CALLS

Hogs offensive line expects experience to pay off

Arkansas offensive tackle Colton Jackson (74) runs during practice Saturday, July 29, 2017, in Fayetteville.
Arkansas offensive tackle Colton Jackson (74) runs during practice Saturday, July 29, 2017, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Last year the Arkansas Razorbacks kicked off their season with a quarterback who had never started behind a new offensive line combination.

It's different now for quarterback Austin Allen and the line he's behind.

"It's really big for them," Allen said of a line now bonded in continuity. "Just the confidence that they're going out with every day and how well they're executing their calls and executing their assignments. Really, you can tell it in their eyes when you get in the huddle how confident they are."

A confident line likely reflects it back to the quarterback.

"It's huge," said Allen, now a fifth-year senior. "Look up there, and see five guys we've seen through the war with last year. They understand what it takes to win. They know how to strain. It's a real confidence boost for me. I know these guys are going to play their tails off."

Even while leading the SEC in passing last year, Allen spent too much time on his tail. He was sacked too often because the inexperienced line failed to protect him or create running lanes.

They believe they will be better despite graduating four-year starter Dan Skipper, who started at left tackle last season after spending time at both right tackle and guard.

Third-year sophomore Colton Jackson -- displaced after starting the first three games as last season's rookie right tackle -- says he's a natural left tackle. He has fit there well upon claiming the job last spring, Coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Kurt Anderson say.

Junior Brian Wallace is the incumbent right tackle since supplanting Jackson last season. Junior Johnny Gibson is back at right guard, where he started the last five games last season.

Junior Hjalte Froholdt, the Danish defensive lineman, now has two springs, two preseasons and one season as an offensive lineman. It shows big-time, Anderson said.

SEC coaches must agree. They voted Froholdt third-team preseason All-SEC.

Senior center Frank Ragnow anchors it all as a member of the preseason All-SEC and All-America teams.

Instead of needing to introduce themselves as they did in 2016, this crew now knows each other like they know themselves.

They've been together on the first-team since spring ball.

"Everybody feels it's a relief," Jackson said. "You know the five guys that are going to go out there every day and having that confidence that everybody is going to do their job."

Tackles Jackson and Wallace know they had better be on their game Thursday night.

Florida A&M of the Football Championship Subdivision's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference may be deemed small-time by some, but Jackson asserts FAMU defensive ends Elijah Price and "especially No. 57" (Calvin Danville) are big-time.

Allen concurs after watching the Rattlers' defensive ends rattling Texas Southern, 29-7 last Saturday.

"They really got after Texas Southern," Allen said. "They looked like SEC defensive ends."

Allen believes those SEC-like defensive ends at FAMU face an authentic SEC offensive line Thursday.

Sports on 08/30/2017

Upcoming Events