RAZORBACKS plan to split up offense.
FAYETTEVILLE — Training camp observers at University of Arkansas football practices next month may note a different approach to how the Razorbacks conduct some offensive periods.
Instead of bunching all their personnel and coaches on one field for certain segments of practice, the offense will have split groups on two fields for the purpose of better player development.
The ones and threes can go rapid fire behind each other on one field with a group of offensive coaches, while the twos and fours do the same on the other field with the rest of the offensive staff.
Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock brought up the change in practice style, initiated by Coach Chad Morris, on Monday at the annual media golf tournament at Paradise Valley Athletic Club.
“I think Coach Morris has a great plan and a great vision for our program,” Craddock said. “One of the things he came and expressed to me is he feels like we’ve got to develop some guys, to get some guys some reps. You can only be out there a certain amount of time.
“To get that done and to get a lot of reps for those guys we’re going to go onto two fields and run the same script and everything. Go to two fields and let the ones and the twos have the majority of the reps and the threes and fours will follow behind those guys. I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s a great to develop some guys we’re going to have to count on this fall. We’ll see how it all plays out.”
Craddock said the unit’s improved depth will make the separation easier.
“We’re basically four deep on the offensive line,” he said. “We feel like we’ve got to develop those guys and try to get them some reps.”
Craddock said the toughest part of the split huddles is separating the offensive staff.
“We’ll record everything,” he said. “Everything will be filmed. So our video department will actually go in and put the ones’ four plays or five plays and then put the twos right behind it. They’ll kind of splice it together. So we’ll watch film on both fields. But obviously one person can’t be on both, so we’ll have to split the staff.”