Arkansas’ fall camp work on Friday had a little bit of everything: positional drills, some 11-on-11 periods, and a closing stretch that brought the day to a loud finish. The practice was broken into nine segments, and the most memorable moments came when the offense and defense finally got to test each other in live-action settings.
At quarterback, redshirt sophomore KJ Jackson opened with a pair of short-to-intermediate completions and added a scramble that covered plenty of ground. Redshirt freshman AJ Hill started 2-of-3, with his only miss looking like a drop. Redshirt senior Braeden Fuller followed and went 1-of-2, with his lone incompletion picked off in the endzone by true freshman defensive back Brandon Ford.
The defensive line stood out during individual work. Ohio State transfer Trajen Odom, listed at 6-foot-3 and 297 pounds, looked especially sturdy in the middle with a low center of gravity that should help him hold leverage.
True freshmen Danny Beale and Anthony Kennedy, Jr. also flashed as massive bodies who are tough to handle one-on-one, and Beale’s burst off the line was easy to notice. Another newcomer who could be in the mix early is true freshman Colton Yarbrough, a 6-foot-5, 262-pound edge player from Durant, Okla. with the length to bother quarterbacks.
At linebacker, West Virginia transfer Ben Bogle brought a physical edge to his one-on-one reps and stayed on his feet even when coaches and teammates tried to knock him off balance. Redshirt sophomore Wyatt Simmons also drew mention from defensive coordinator Ron Roberts on Wednesday, who said Simmons plays with plenty of speed. Roberts added that Simmons’ movements are instinctual, well-coached and extremely hard to replicate.
There were encouraging signs on the offensive line, too. Josiah Clemons looked like a future SEC left tackle, with solid technique, smooth snap-off quickness and the flexibility that comes with his listed 6-foot-7, 341-pound frame.
Later in practice, quarterbacks, running backs and receivers worked in the back corner of the field, where offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey had them going downhill with low pad level into a chute. Jackson again showed his burst and balance through the hole, something he did last season as well, including the elusive touchdown run against Texas in the fourth quarter.
The final skeleton period brought the most contact. Quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, linebackers and defensive backs all took part, and the collisions piled up.
Michigan transfer running back Jasper Parker caught an early pass down the right sideline for a first down, while tight end Jaden Platt continued to look imposing in space. Though the roster lists him at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, he appeared leaner, and the offseason transformation showed up in his athleticism, body language and overall look.
Memphis transfer safety Ian Williams finished off a reasonable offensive gain with a tackle, then Hill delivered the throw of the day - a deep ball down the right sideline to Courtney Crutchfield, who used his speed to run past three defenders. That play was the biggest one Arkansas’ defense gave up on Friday.
The day’s hardest hit came with two plays left in the final segment, when freshman quarterback Hank Hendrix led Jelani Watkins into a collision delivered by Maryland transfer defensive back Braydon Lee.
Arkansas is off Saturday, Aug. 8, and will return to practice Sunday, Aug. 9 at 3:15.
In Other News...
Arkansas QB Battle May Already Be Tilting One Way
Arkansas went into fall camp with a quarterback competition that was supposed to be wide open, but the early snap distribution has already given the first clues about where things stand. KJ Jackson opened with the first-team offense and has looked comfortable enough to build some quick chemistry with the receivers, which matters in a battle where timing and command can separate the two contenders fast.
AJ Hill is still in the mix, and the staff has kept saying the race remains open, but the first stretch of camp has not been equally kind to both passers. Hill has dealt with an interception and some off-target throws while working behind Jackson, leaving the Razorbacks with a decision that may be less about who is getting reps right now and more about whether the gap can be closed before the depth chart starts to harden. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Camp Is Already Exposing One Early Battle Fans Should Watch
Arkansas is only at the start of fall camp, but the first few practices are already giving coaches a clearer picture of where the competition sits. New coordinators are installing their systems, and there are signs of progress on both sides of the ball. Defensive coordinator Roberts has been encouraged by the defenses communication and tempo early on, while the offense has moved through Cramseys plan with enough sharpness to suggest the group is getting a head start on the learning curve.
The most interesting position battle may be developing in the backfield, where the Razorbacks are still sorting out how the carries will be divided between Sutton Smith and Braylen Russell. The receivers are also continuing to build chemistry with quarterback KJ Jackson, and the offensive line brings its own layer of intrigue with several new faces in the mix. With camp still young, Arkansas has time to settle things, but the early rotation is already hinting at a few jobs that may not be decided quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Rhett Lashlee Just Reopened An Arkansas Debate Fans Know Too Well
Rhett Lashlee has a long Arkansas backstory, and it still makes him a natural voice in the conversation any time the Razorbacks come up. The SMU head coach and former Arkansas walk-on recently weighed in on the debate around the Hogs strength of schedule, pushing back on the idea that anyone can crown Arkansas with the nations toughest slate before the season even starts. It is the sort of comment that lands a little harder because Lashlee knows the program from the inside, having been both a walk-on and a graduate assistant before moving on.
His remarks also reintroduced a familiar subplot for Arkansas fans, who have spent plenty of time wondering whether Lashlee might one day circle back in a coaching role. He has already been clear in the past that those rumors do not match where his career is headed, and his rise at SMU has only reinforced that path. For now, his latest take is less about a homecoming and more about a former Razorback reminding everyone that schedule debates tend to get settled on the field, not in August. [Read more 🡒]