OFFENSE
Quarterback
Ben Hicks has taken the majority of the first-team reps and appears in line to win the starting job for the season opener. His presence during spring drills, his previous experience in the Chad Morris/Joe Craddock offense at SMU, and his natural leadership skills through spring and summer gave him an edge over fellow graduate transfer Nick Starkel. But Starkel has the stronger arm, and his game action at Texas A&M came against stiffer competition. Its logical to envision a scenario where Hicks and Starkel both get time with the top unit in Game 1 before the coaches settle on one to start the SEC opener at Ole Miss the following week. Morris probably wants to avoid the musical chairs at this spot from early last year, but it might take a few games to sort out the starter. John Stephen Jones was lauded for his ability to move his groups to scores early in camp. KJ Jefferson's accuracy was hit and miss early in camp, but he picked up the pace, and showed command of the offense and his units early in camp. The 6-3 Jefferson's dual-threat capability makes him a prime candidate to excel in this system.
Running back
Once again, this is a deep crew at a spot that takes a pounding. Rakeem Boyd said he's back at full strength after rotator cuff and labrum issues caused him pain last season and led to eventual surgery. Boyd, a junior, is easily a 1,000-yard talent if he played in a system that allowed him 20-25 carries per game. However, the presence of senior Devwah Whaley, who is also fit after injuries slowed him in 2018, and juniors Chase Hayden and T.J. Hammonds should take some of the load off of Boyd. Whaley is in great shape and hoping to cap his career in a bowl game. Hayden had some eye-opening performances in 2017 before a leg injury. He and Hammonds are the top home run threats. Hammonds missed spring ball while on academic hiatus and needs to show maturity.
Receiver
Breakout players wanted. The group doesn't have a returning talent with great productivity, and the loss of senior Deon Stewart to a torn ACL in the second camp scrimmage is a blow. There's still SEC-level speed in De'Vion Warren and Jordan Jones, the most experienced active players. Jones is on the mend from a high ankle sprain which could keep him out another couple of weeks. Koilan Jackson seemed to be in position to make a jump before his previous knee injury led to clean-up arthroscopic surgery. The veterans are in competition with a four-man, four-star WR signing class. The 6-5 Trey Knox had a standout spring, and if he emerges as a freshman, his exuberant persona will help turn him into a household name around the SEC. Treylon Burks is showing few effects from last year's knee surgery and made some tremendous catches early in camp. Speedsters Shamar Nash and T.Q. Jackson are the other freshmen battling to make the travel roster. Walk-on Tyson Morris has been a steady contributor in practice since his arrival, and his role should grow in the slot behind Warren.
Tight end
Senior Cheyenne O'Grady might miss a week or two of the season after minor knee surgery Aug. 14. O'Grady, who says all the right things in his media interviews, spent another period of time in the coaches' doghouse early in camp but had regained first-team status before the injury. O'Grady's talent as a pass catcher might not have an equal in the country. If he can tame his impulsive traits, he could have a magical season that puts him in the Mackey Award hunt. Grayson Gunter always has possessed exceptional speed for the position. The same goes for Chase Harrell, the converted receiver, who had a good first week and a half of camp. Big things are expected from freshman Hudson Henry, who missed about a week of camp while in concussion protocol. Blake Kern is the most physical at the position, and he had some big catches the first week of camp.
Offensive line
The depth is building for position coach Dustin Fry, but there's a lot of underclassmen in his room. The position has taken a lot of heat the past three seasons after a couple of years of leading the SEC in fewest sacks allowed. Chad Morris said he's certain the position will be improved despite losing three starters. Colton Jackson should make a jump at LT after rushing his return and playing with an aching back last year. Ty Clary's snaps at center have been much sharper than last season. Left guard Austin Capps is playing faster and more physical in his second year after a position switch, though his status for the opener is questionable due to arthroscopic knee surgery. Shane Clenin and Dalton Wagner, a couple of third-year guys, look more comfortable on the right side. Kirby Adcock took some first-team reps after camp injuries to Capps and Jackson (foot). Top OT Noah Gatlin, who was likely to split time with Wagner, is lost for the year with a knee injury, a blow to the improved depth. Juco transfer Myron Cunningham is training at several spots and is expected to earn playing time. Identifying the seventh, eighth and maybe ninth guys for the travel roster will be tough but a good problem to have.
Defense
Defensive line
The Razorbacks have two of the most experienced tackles in the league in McTelvin Agim and T.J. Smith, and they're flanked by what is mostly an unproven set of ends. Seniors Dorian Gerald and Gabe Richardson are the expected starters there, but neither is the prototypical, long-armed, pass-rush specialist. Jamario Bell, also a senior, fits that description, but he's yet to match his outstanding physique with comparable statistics. Last chance for that trio. They're backed by the freshman group of Mataio Soli, Zach Williams, Eric Gregory and Collin Clay, and some of those rookies will have to contribute. Agim, a solid presence for three years, has a chance to break out inside, just as Armon Watts did last year. He has an agility edge over most guards. Jonathan Marshall, the strongest player on the squad, is the top reserve inside with the loss of Briston Guidry, followed by Isaiah Nichols. Between sophomore David Porter, redshirt freshman Nick Fulwider, and true freshmen Taurean Carter, Marcus Miller and Enoch Jackson, there is probably room for a few spots in the rotation.
Linebackers
De'Jon Harris led the SEC with 118 tackles and 62 solos last year while playing most or all of the games at "Mike." Defensive coordinator John Chavis would like to see Harris' snap count go down markedly and his production stay on an even keel. Bumper Pool, an emerging talent, should take over at "Will," where he started four games last year. Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry, who is likely to start at "Sam" in the opener, are the top subs, and they're joined by Deon Edwards, D'Vone McClure, Andrew Parker and others in what coaches say is a deeper rotation. Zach Zimos, the lone linebacker signee, is expected to earn time on special teams and possibly defense. Oh, the places this defense could go if it could run six or seven deep at these spots.
Secondary
This will be one of the youngest secondaries in the country, led by junior free safety Kamren Curl. The good news is much of the incoming talent sports above-average speed, starting with Greg Brooks, who is in line to start at nickel back, and cornerback Devin Bush. True freshman safety Jalen Catalon made a splash early in camp with a pair of pick-sixes. The likely starting cornerbacks -- Montaric Brown and Jarques McClellion -- are both sophomores, but they exude confidence and should play faster this season after taking some lumps a year ago. Strong safety Joe Foucha played minimally last year. If he can read and react better, he can start flashing his reputation as a hard hitter. Top depth appears to be LaDarrius Bishop and Bush at CB, and Myles Mason and Catalon at safety. Having a consistent pass rush would help this group take a step forward.
Special teams
For every positive play last season -- like top-shelf kicking by Connor Limpert and a couple of good punt returns by Deon Stewart -- there were myriad embarrassing moments, with the faux fair catch punt return touchdown by North Texas easily the worst. Kickoff return touchdowns allowed the following two weeks at Auburn and vs. Texas A&M were also costly. A lot of the time, it seemed the kicking game was just trying to hang on in 2018. Barry Lunney Jr. was appointed special teams coordinator over the winter, and the organization and execution on the kicking teams are expected to make a leap. Sam Loy, a two-year punter at Vanderbilt, has a chance to beat out returner Reid Bauer for punting duties. Limpert is expected to be the kickoff man again. The team needs to find a punt returner with the loss of Stewart. De'Vion Warren -- who had a kickoff return touchdown vs. Auburn in 2017 -- is preparing for his third year in that position. The coverage units should be improved.
Sports on 08/25/2019