With the second fall scrimmage set for Saturday night under the lights at Razorback Stadium, Arkansas is already looking like a team that’s starting to settle in. Two weeks out from the 2026 opener and in Ryan Silverfield’s first year, the picture at most spots is getting clearer, even if the Week One depth chart still leaves room for a few “-or-” battles.
At quarterback, offensive coordinator Tim Crasmey may prefer to keep the room guessing, but Jackson has been the steadier presence since camp began. Hill has stayed in the race, yet he has been just a little behind Jackson throughout fall camp.
Hendrix, meanwhile, has pushed his way up thanks to his arm talent, the velocity on his throws and that old-school gunslinger edge. Whoever ends up winning the job, the position looks promising.
Running back remains mostly where it was in the spring, with Braylen Russell leading the way. He’s been the workhorse of camp and appears ready to be the back many expected when he came out of high school. Sutton Smith sits behind him, while Cam Settles and Jasper Parker are still grouped together, and Markeylin Batton has started to emerge as a useful piece after flashing in Sunday’s scrimmage.
The receiver group has its own clear headline in Chris Marshall, whose outside ability gives the offense a real weapon. Courtney Crutchfield and Antonio Jordan, both Southeast Arkansas natives, are expected to be major contributors in their second year at Arkansas. Brown and Faupel stand out as two of the fastest and most reliable hands on the roster.
At one receiver spot, Harrison is still hanging around at 31 years old after taking the MLB route out of high school as a former 4-star prospect. A broken foot last season wiped out most of his 2025, but he remains in the mix. Watkins has claimed the third spot for now thanks to his speed and should get an early chance to show it against North Alabama.
Tight end has its own shape as well. Platt is the clear starter, while Lockwood is beginning to look like the highly touted recruit he was coming out of high school. Adcock, the transfer from Memphis, has moved into third-team work after the injury to Maddox Lassiter and will mostly be used as a blocking tight end in jumbo packages, though he can still help in the passing game.
Up front, the offensive line hasn’t changed much beyond the backup roles. The starting five remain Broussard, Breland, Kitler, Branham and Williams, the same group from spring ball. Given how little sack damage that unit has allowed over its careers, it looks like a dependable foundation.
On defense, Rhodes remains the headliner at end. He’s viewed as an All-SEC caliber player with an All-American ceiling and even first-round NFL draft potential.
He also challenged his teammates to step up because he came back with the drive to win. Behind him, though, there are still some questions.
The line as a whole looks loaded. Osborne, Oke, Collins and Soles have been the steady starters at their spots, and the depth behind them is strong enough to be worth watching closely. Beale, Waller, Vaughn and Sims are among the backups drawing attention, and the group includes 11 former 4-stars on the depth chart, a recruiting profile that gives the unit real upside.
At linebacker, Shaw and Ja'Quavion Smith are the clear starters, with Smith showing up as a starter more than any other transfer on the team this offseason. Phoenix Jackson and Jeremy Evans provide the next layer. It’s a veteran group with plenty of potential if the defensive line does its part.
House is built for his role, according to defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, and Scott sits behind him as another former 4-star who played for Roberts at Auburn before transferring to Georgia State last season.
Cornerback has settled into a familiar look with Jahiem Johnson, Shelton Lewis and Roland among the most consistent options through camp. Brandon Ford, a true freshman, has impressed Silverfield with several big plays, while Dartmouth transfer Sean Williams arrives with 11 career interceptions and was clearly brought in with some uncertainty in mind on the back end.
At safety, Christian Harrison opens as the first option with Ian Williams and John Howse IV behind him. Williams could still play plenty, and his physical style stood out last season at Memphis.
The other safety spot features Miguel Mitchell first, with Kyeaure Magloire and Caleb Wooden next in line. Wooden returned to the team on Monday and brings SEC experience along with familiarity with Roberts’ system.
Tay Lockett rounds out the group.
In Other News...
Ryan Silverfield Is Setting An Early Standard Arkansas Fans Will Notice
The first day of classes did not pass quietly for Arkansas football under Ryan Silverfield. The Razorbacks new head coach made a point of personally checking on his players classroom attendance and even where they were sitting, a small but telling detail that underscored how quickly he wants the standard set in Fayetteville. For a roster going through significant change, it was a clear signal that the expectations extend well beyond what happens on the field.
Silverfield has long treated academics as part of the job description, and his track record at Memphis showed it. His program there earned strong marks in graduation rates and community service, and he has carried that same emphasis into Arkansas. For fans trying to gauge what kind of tone he will bring to the program, this was an early look at a coach intent on accountability from day one. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Still Has Two Huge Camp Questions As Opener Nears
Fall camp has kept Arkansas busy with little time for comfort, and the biggest reason is still the same one that hovered over the offseason: the quarterback battle. KJ Jackson and AJ Hill have both had their moments as the Razorbacks work through a demanding camp under Sam Pittman, one focused on installing new schemes and building depth after significant roster turnover. A recent scrimmage offered a glimpse of how close the race remains, with both quarterbacks helping move the offense.
The rest of the roster picture has not made things any easier. Arkansas is already adjusting to the loss of tight end Maddox Lassiter for the season after surgery, while running back Sutton Smith has been sidelined by a lower-leg issue. With the opener drawing closer, the Razorbacks still have major answers to find, and the way this camp sorts out the depth chart could shape how quickly the offense settles in once the games begin. [Read more 🡒]