FAYETTEVILLE — Fall camp is a time for optimism. Arkansas football and every program across the country can control much of the narrative coming out of preseason practices. The players are bigger, faster and stronger, while a much-improved locker room culture should be a difference-maker when the games arrive.
However, it’s often hard for regular-season reality to match these preseason vibes. Last year, the Southwest Times Record highlighted three potential pitfalls for the Razorbacks’ 2023 season, with two concerns coming to life. KJ Jefferson and Dan Enos were bad fits for each other, while the young tackles on the offensive line were not ready for life in the SEC.
More: Bobby Petrino’s thoughts on Arkansas football’s offense at midway point of fall camp
More: Why Arkansas football’s offensive line is counting ‘daps’ at fall camp
With two weeks of fall camp in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to wade through the optimism and pick out three potential issues for this year’s version of Arkansas football. These are not predictions, but instead possible issues that won’t encounter their true judgment day until the rigors of an SEC schedule arrive.
And in no surprise, this exercise begins with the biggest question mark on the roster.
No significant improvement along the offensive line
Many of the Hogs’ struggles in 2023 can be traced back to the offensive line, which ranked 128th in the country with 47 sacks allowed and 87th in rushing offense. The Hogs were a top-10 rushing team in the two seasons prior.
The Razorbacks addressed this issue through the transfer portal, landing three starters in Fernando Carmona Jr., Addison Nichols and Keyshawn Blackstock. It should be a better unit, and the arrival of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will help, but there are some concerns popping up in fall camp.
The defensive line dominated Thursday’s scrimmage, and left guard Patrick Kutas has missed nearly all of the preseason with a back injury. Arkansas doesn’t have a ton of depth up front with two walk-ons potentially in the two-deep rotation. Can the unit survive a potential injury to one of the three transfers?
Coaches and players are confident the offensive line will be better, but they’ll need a huge leap in production to revitalize the offense and get back to a bowl game.
Sep 16, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman during the first quarter against the BYU Cougars at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Are the skill positions good enough?
Arkansas was one of six teams in the conference to not have a wide receiver or running back selected to the All-SEC Preseason teams in July. None of the returning wide receivers eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2023, and none of the running backs have ever produced more than 800 rushing yards in their respective careers.
Wide receiver Tyrone Broden should take a jump in production, and Utah transfer Ja’Quinden Jackson oozes potential in the running backs room. Still, there are no obvious draft picks in either position group, and the SEC had 22 wide receivers or running backs drafted in 2024.
Petrino’s offense should help the pass catchers create more separation, but if that 2023 problem persists this fall, Arkansas’ offense will struggle mightily even if the offensive line turns the corner.
The KJ Jefferson for Taylen Green trade
Jefferson had a poor 2023 season, but he is still Arkansas’ all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass completions, total touchdowns, total plays and total yards. He earned his first start as a redshirt freshman in 2020 and became a Razorback legend.
It was seemingly a mutual parting this offseason, with Petrino and Pittman landing the commitment of Boise State transfer Taylen Green before Jefferson ever entered the portal. Green has established himself as a leader and made plenty of ‘wow’ throws during spring practice and fall camp, but is he really going to be a better SEC quarterback than Jefferson? Pittman said Green struggled with his accuracy at Thursday’s scrimmage.
Maybe the rest of the supporting cast improves and Arkansas doesn’t need Green to be a superstar, but Jefferson paved the way for two of the Hogs’ most successful seasons since Petrino was head coach. It remains to be seen if Green can provide a similar impact.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Three potential pitfalls for Arkansas football after two weeks of fall camp
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Publish date : 2024-08-15 22:08:00
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