TE Gragg gets shot, does well
FAYETTEVILLE — Tight end Will Gragg waited two years to get on the field for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but the redshirt sophomore from Dumas said he never lost hope or patience.
“You’ve just got to keep working, keep perfecting your craft, keep doing the things the coaches ask you to do,” Gragg said. “Come in with a good mindset, good attitude, good work ethic and just keep pushing.
“They tell you that your time is going to come, and you’ve just got to be prepared whenever it does.”
Gragg was ready when his time came last week at LSU.
The Razorbacks were down two tight ends when Cheyenne O’Grady didn’t make the trip because of a tailbone injury and Austin Cantrell went out in the first quarter with a knee injury.
The absence of O’Grady and Cantrell meant extra snaps for Gragg, and he responded with career-highs of three receptions for 47 yards.
“It was really my first time getting my feet wet being able to make plays in a game that mattered,” Gragg said. “It made it fun again.”
Gragg came to Arkansas as an early enrollee in January of 2015 with a big name and high expectations.
The younger brother of former Razorbacks star tight end Chris Gragg — who is with the New York Jets — and a consensus four-star recruit, he turned down offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma and numerous other high-profile schools to sign with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Gragg redshirted as a true freshman, then didn’t play at all last season despite the loss of All-America tight end Hunter Henry, who is now with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coming into this season, Gragg seemed buried on the depth chart behind Cantrell, O’Grady, Jeremy Patton and Jack Kraus even though Arkansas had lost another standout tight end in Jeremy Sprinkle, who plays for the Washington Redskins.
But Gragg said he never felt pressure when he was playing sparingly earlier in the season.
“Everybody’s timeline is different,” he said. “Hunter Henry came in here and started as a freshman. Jeremy Sprinkle didn’t make a play until his redshirt sophomore year.
“It took my brother three years for him to get his feet wet.”
Chris Gragg, who was with the Buffalo Bills from 2013-16, signed with the Jets on July 29, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason game against Philadelphia. He’s on the Jets’ injured reserve list, is living in Fayetteville and spends a lot of time with his younger brother.
“After practice I usually go straight to his house,” Will Gragg said. “He cooks sometimes for us and we watch game film. He’ll go over every play with me, tell me what I need to do.
“It’s just good having somebody to be able to talk to who has been where you are and where you want to go and knows how to get there.”
Gragg, who like his older brother wears No. 80 for the Razorbacks, said Chris has always been his role model and best friend.
“He’s been there for me every step of the way,” Gragg said. “I’m very grateful for him.”
Gragg said he wasn’t surprised that he played well against LSU.
“Just waiting for my moment,” he said. “I knew I wasn’t ready earlier, and the coaches weren’t going to put me out there if I wasn’t ready.
“They felt like Saturday I was ready to make a play and I guess they were right.”
Arkansas’ coaches said Gragg, who has 5 catches for 61 yards in 8 games, has earned a shot at more playing time against Mississippi State today.
“I appreciate Will Gragg and how he has handled himself the past year,” offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. “He’s come to work every day and had a serious mindset to him.
“He’s focused at meetings, focused at practice. I think he’s really starting to earn the trust of his coaches and teammates. I think we will certainly see his role increase.”
Tight ends coach Barry Lunney said he hopes the LSU game will be a springboard for Gragg and help him play more consistently.
“He’s taken advantage of some opportunities he’s gotten and done well with them,” Lunney said. “His attitude’s been good. He’s done a good job of staying engaged.”
Gragg, 6-4, is down to 235 pounds after being 258 last season.
“The weight loss has really helped with my speed and quickness, being able to get in and out of cuts,” Gragg said. “I’ve gotten stronger, too, so I can sustain my blocks better.”
Coach Bret Bielema said it’s good to see Gragg finally getting a chance to make plays in games.
“I’ve liked Will since Day One,” Bielema said. “I think he had to go through some things, but he’s been absolutely awesome from Week One to where he is now.
“The good news is, I don’t think you’re seeing even close to what he could be.”