Injuries beginning to mount for Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE - Eight practices into the Arkansas Razorbacks spring football drills and the injuries start mounting some.
Senior receiver Jared Cornelius, the only true firstteam receiver at this point as offensive coordinator Dan Enos and receivers coach Michael Smith rotate the other less experienced wideouts, missed Thursday’s practice because he “nicked” a hamstring during Tuesday’s practice, Enos said after Thursday’s practice.
It would be surprising to see Cornelius practice when the Hogs next work in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“I know we’ll be very cautious with him,” Enos said. “Jared Cornelius knows the offense and can play all positions and makes plays. He’s going to be there. The rest of the guys it’s going to be a continual process through the summer and fall camp. All have shown flashes. It’s a process. I don’t think we’ll know anything by the end of spring with those guys. It will be a continual process.”
Third-year sophomores Deon Stewart of Hardy, LaMichael Pettway of Nashville, sophomore converted from running back T.J. Hammonds of Pulaski Robinson, junior college transfers Brandon Martin and Jonathan Nance and red-
shirt freshman Jordan Jones of Smackover are among the rotating receivers.
Jones led all receivers in last Saturday’s scrimmage catching four passes for 99 yards including a 63-yard touchdown.
“I think it was really good he got to redshirt,” Enos said. “He’s been through a cycle now with winter conditioning and he’s stronger. He had a really good day Saturday.
“Every day you see flashes of greatness. He has a chance to be special.
“He’s got good size, he’s got great speed, he’s got good ball skills and he’s smart. So I’m excited about him.”
Kelley threw Jones the touchdown last Saturday but overall, Enos said it’s “even-steven” between sophomore Ty Storey of Charleston and Kelley behind fifth-year senior starting quarterback Austin Allen of Fayetteville.
“Austin has had a tremendous spring,” Enos said. “He’s as good and comfortable and poised and accurate as I’ve seen him and this will be my third spring. He’s playing at a very high level.”
Apparently Johnny Gibson, the walkon offensive guard of 2016 from Dumas who earned a starting job and a scholarship last season but got demoted by coach Bret Bielema this spring, is working his way back towards the top.
“Johnny Gibson will continue to work in and be with the ones maybe Saturday if Coach allows that,” Enos said Thursday.
Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said he and the staff are doing some spring experimenting this week.
Karl Roesler, who had been operating at first-team defensive end, now is a first-team Hog linebacker, the heavier more lineman oriented than the Razor hybrid safety/linebacker type that Rhoads calls his two outside linebacker positions in the new 3-4 defensive scheme that Bielema and Rhoads implement.
Senior Dwayne Eugene has switched from inside Will linebacker to Razor.
With incumbent Will inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw rehabbing a broken foot this spring, a couple of players small in football size, but large in heart, 5-10, 239 junior twoyear letterman special-teamer walk-on Josh Harris of Pine Bluff, and redshirt freshman walk-on linebacker Grant Morgan, 5-11, 220 of Greenwood, are getting first-team work at Will.
Harris has either led or been among the leading tacklers in about every spring and preseason scrimmage he’s played.
Last Saturday was no exception as he made eight.
Morgan stood out last Saturday with a stop behind the line.
After last Saturday’s scrimmage, Bielema said, “You know Josh has got a great motor. And he’s got great savvy. He’s a little bit limited in his height. But he uses that to his advantage. He was a good player last year for us on certain phases. I think we’ve got to be very, very aware of him.”
And Morgan, the brother of since graduated wide receiver Drew Morgan?
“Grant Morgan, a year ago my defensive coaches came to me after I think the second week and said, ‘Coach, if you want to play Grant on special teams you probably could.,” Bielema said. He probably would be able to contribute. He’s slippery. He’s smart. A very intriguing young man.”
Rhoads lauded them both Thursday and said the 3-4 creates a spot for their productive but undersized selves that last year’s 4-3 scheme did not.
“In this system, those spots get restricted a little bit in their space and that benefits guys that maybe aren’t the fastest and the biggest and the strongest,” Rhoads said. “When you are not having to play hash to hash or hash to sideline, you’ve got enough people to cut down that space and they show up a little bit. Both guys when you make a call you can count on them being where they are supposed to be and playing as hard and as physical as they can.”
Linebackers Alexey Jean-Baptiste and Giovanni La France, both injured during last Saturday’s scrimmage, have not practiced this week.