Hogs’ 2nd kicker uses speed, too
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas backup kicker Cameron Bryan has taken an unusual path to more playing time this season.
The 5-10, 176-pound senior, who last kicked off in 2009, has used his speed and athleticism to become a part of the Razorbacks’ kickoff coverage team. He saw his first action in a season-opening win over Jacksonville State, routinely beating his teammates down the field.
“He is fast, and we had trouble all fall in holding him up,” Razorbacks coach John L. Smith said. “You’d put him on those teams, those scout teams to look at kickoff coverage, punt coverage, those things ... and we can’t hold him up. We can’t get to the guy. He’s as fast a guy as we have. He has a way of winding through, kind of like water, the easiest way down there.”
Bryan, who approached Smith about the move in the spring, has always performed well during Arkansas’ athletic testing sessions. He topped the team’s pro agility testing chart this spring with a time of 3.95 seconds, and he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds — seventhbest on the team.
The No. 8 Razorbacks ( 1- 0) host LouisianaMonroe in Little Rock on Saturday.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Arkansas coach files for bankruptcy: Arkansas coach John L. Smith has filed for bankruptcy protection over debts he incurred through real estate investments in Kentucky.
The Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition was filed Thursday in federal court in Arkansas. Smith had said in July that he expected to make the filing.
Documents state Smith has assets of between $1 million and $10 million and debts of between $10 million and $50 million.
Freshman stars for Tide: T.J. Yeldon’s Alabama teammates weren’t surprised by the freshman’s debut for the top-ranked Crimson Tide.
Tight end Michael Williams said he realized Yeldon was special in his first spring practice. Senior center Barrett Jones, who played at ECS, believes Yeldon might claim the title of Alabama’s “next great running back” and knows he’s not alone in that opinion.
With starter Eddie Lacy limited by a gimpy ankle, Yeldon was the star of the running game in a 41-14 opening win over Michigan.
He broke tackles, sometimes several, on a number of his 11 carries, gained 111 yards and had a 26-yard catch. Jalston Fowler and Lacy also showed some brawn in a backfield that clearly is in good hands going into Saturday’s visit by Western Kentucky.
Yeldon was the star of the show, just like he was in earning MVP honors during the spring game after enrolling in January.
“We had been seeing that out of him for a long time” Jones said.
Kentucky plans personnel shift: Kentucky’s defense could have a new look for Saturday night’s home opener against Kent State. After allowing 466 yards in Sunday’s loss at Louisville, Kentucky coach Joker Phillips believes it’s time to blend in more newcomers, which could mean significant time for freshmen Khalid Henderson and Pancho Thomas.
Cowboys lose 2: Oklahoma State redshirt freshman cornerback Jonavan Griffin and freshman linebacker Jeremiah Tshimanga will miss the season with knee injuries.