FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks were down a couple of key offensive players on what turned into a strange first day in full pads Tuesday.
Tailback Ja’Quinden Jackson and right tackle Keyshawn Blackstock, both likely starters, missed the media viewing portion of the workout, though Blackstock came onto the sidelines without a helmet or pads after six periods.
A UA spokesman said the issues for Jackson and Blackstock, as well as a handful of other players, are not considered long-term problems.
That included guard Patrick Kutas, who has been out since last Thursday with a back issue, receivers Andrew Armstrong and Tyrone Broden, and cornerback Jaheim Singletary, who were slowed Tuesday. Defensive end Anton Juncaj and cornerback Marquise Robinson, who walked the perimeter of the practice fields again, are considered in the same mix.
Experimentation was evident, as depth chart changes were in place on both sides of the ball during fastball starts, particularly on the offensive line. Position coach Eric Mateos had Amaury Wiggins at center, Addison Nichols at left guard and Joe More at right tackle to pair with tackle Fernando Carmona and guard Josh Braun on the first unit.
Rashod Dubinion worked with the starting unit at tailback, with freshman Braylen Russell on the second and transfer Rodney Hill on the third.
Transfer Doneiko Slaughter, who had been running at first-team nickel back, took snaps at safety paired with Jayden Johnson, while transfer Anthony Switzer worked at the nickel or “Hog” position. Those moves dropped safety Hudson Clark to second-team reps. Slaughter took reps at Hog with the third group.
Transfer Stephen Dix worked with Xavian Sorey at linebacker on the first unit for fastball starts, with Brad Spence working as a stand-up “Buck” edge player opposite Landon Jackson. That move pushed Nico Davillier back to the second unit.
Additionally, freshman CJ Brown worked at receiver with the first group with Armstrong and Isaiah Sategna, as Broden, who was at practice, got some down time.
When the team went to an inside run period later in the media viewing portion of practice, Nichols and Wiggins switched spots.
Ty’Kieast Crawford, who had been running at guard early in camp, played second-team right tackle behind More, a transfer from Syracuse, as Mateos and Coach Sam Pittman continue to experiment with combinations on the front.
‘Super chill’
First-year receivers coach Ronnie Fouch got positive reviews Tuesday from the receivers in the media interview room. Fouch, 35, played quarterback at Washington and Indiana State, and he has worked with offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino at three stops now, including Louisville (2015-18) and Missouri State (2020-22).
“He’s an extension of Petrino,” Isaiah Sategna said. “Everything that he learned was from Petrino. So it’s pretty good to have him in the room. He’s worked with some big-time receivers in the past.”
Isaac TeSlaa said Fouch is “a really smart guy, like Petrino. He knows the offense like the back of his hand.
“What I really like about him is just he’s a super chill guy. I’m not one that likes to get cussed out, so it’s nice that Fouch has a different approach. That’s something that I think we all really appreciate.”
Jaedon Wilson echoed that.
“He is a pretty chill guy,” Wilson said. “He’s going to make sure that we get our plays in, make sure that we know what we’re doing, making sure we don’t have missed assignments, so he’s doing his job.”
Say what?
The quarterbacks and receivers were not on the same page for several plays during one-on-one work Tuesday, leading to several plays where the receiver zigged and the quarterback threw a zag. At one point, an unidentified person behind the drill shouted, “Guys, let’s pick this stuff up!”
Receivers Coach Ronnie Fouch said the blown plays are part of packing in schemes during camp.
“So that’s normal in camp,” Fouch said. “We’re on day (six) so we have seven installs in our offense, which is more than we did in spring ball. So some newer stuff going in and then we’re going to taper back, get back to what we thought is efficient.”
Fouch said some of the routes and concepts in play Tuesday are things the Razorbacks might have to pull out later in the season.
“But there were a lot of motions and shifts today, some miscommunications on some stuff, but we’re progressing pretty fast with these guys,” Fouch said. “Coach (Bobby) Petrino and Coach (Sam) Pittman like to speed up the installs so that makes them learn it faster and then we taper back and get good at everything.”
‘Switz’ Army
Transfer defender Anthony Switzer, called “Switz” by teammates and coaches, has rotated between nickel back and linebacker as the coaching staff tries to find his best
It’s no wonder he’s already being called a Swiss Army knife by teammates and coaches.
Switzer had a strong pass-rushing drill against running backs and tight ends Monday, then got first-team work at the nickel or “Hog” position Tuesday.
“Swiss Army knife, you know what I mean?” defensive backs coach Deron Wilson said when asked how the coaches will employ Switzer.
“You find different ways to use him. That’s our job as coaches and I don’t want to speak for the coordinator (Travis Williams). That’s a coordinator question. We collab (collaborate) as a staff on how we’re going to use the guy, but I think we’ll figure out ways.”
Harrison flashes
Monte Harrison, a walk-on freshman receiver who will turn 29 on Saturday, has had a good start to camp.
“He’s flashed throughout camp in these first couple days, and he’s definitely wowed us on a couple of plays,” receivers coach Ronnie Fouch said. “He can go up and high point the ball. He’s so strong. He can play through contact from a defender and really use his power in the run game as well.”
Harrison, listed at 6-3 and 220 pounds, spent 10 years in professional baseball, including brief major league appearances in 2020 with the Miami Marlins and in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels, before giving college football a shot.
As a senior at Lee’s Summit West in suburban Kansas City, Mo., Harrison was a good enough receiver to sign to play footbal with Nebraska before being selected with the No. 50 pick in the 2014 MLB Draft and signing with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Fastballs
Quarterback Taylen Green went 2 for 2 during fastball starts Tuesday, completing an edge pass to Andrew Armstrong on the first snap and finding Isaiah Sategna down a seam for a long gain on the third rep.
Green took a run-pass option play over the right side for a solid gain and Rashod Dubinion had a run to complete the four-play set.
Malachi Singleton completed his only pass attempt with the second unit, but he tucked the ball and ran on another pass play and had another run during the sequence. His completed pass went to tight end Var’Keyes Gumms over the right side. Braylen Russell took a pitch over the left edge for a moderate gain on the other snap.
Quarterback Blake Boda worked with the third unit, completing a swing pass to Rodney Hill on his only throw. Hill made a jab step and inside cut to turn the play into a good gainer. Boda was quickly pressured by Kavion Henderson on a drop-back on snap No. 1 and wound up scrambling. Bryce Stephens took a jet sweep over the right edge and Hill ran over right tackle on the other two reps.
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 20:05:00
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