Hogs tweak O-line players, positions

FAYETTEVILLE — Anybody formulating a Razorback depth chart should write in the offensive line in faint pencil with an arsenal of erasers.

Tuesday’s offensive line first-team during the first four practice periods open to media had only sophomore left guard Hjalte Froholdt in place from the beginning of preseason drills Thursday.

Tuesday’s practice, the first in full pads after two totally noncontact and two in shoulder pads, was first conducted inside Walker Pavilion because of potential rain, moved outside to the practice field when it didn’t rain then moved back inside when lightning and rain briefly prevailed.

The first-team O-line opened with University of Texas graduate transfer Jake Raulerson at center, Frank Ragnow at right guard, Dan Skipper at left tackle and Brian Wallace at right tackle.

The preceding practices, other than a slew of right guards including Raulerson, sophomore Zach Rogers and Wallace , had senior 3-year starter Skipper at right tackle, redshirt freshman Colton Jackson at left tackle and Ragnow at center.

Any offensive alignment at any time during the preseason seems possible as Bielema and offensive-line coach Kurt Anderson said they will keep mixing and matching to “find their best five.”

Whether Ragnow is a center or a guard, or Skipper a right tackle, left tackle or a guard, they know they are starting somewhere and played before where they have started each practice.

“We just kind of show up every day and it’s a new front,” Ragnow said. “You’ve just got to kind of handle adversity and deal with it. I mean, it’s fun. It’s fun seeing guys step up at new positions … It’s been good.”

Does he have a guard (his position as a starter last year) or center (his position as a backup in 2014) preference?

“I feel comfortable at both,” Ragnow said. “But I like center a lot. I learned to love it a lot. There’s a lot more there mentally. You’re kind of the head guy up front. But I like football the most.”

Ragnow was asked if he frets redshirt freshman Jackson will take a confidence jolt practicing second-team for the

first time since advancing at left tackle during spring drills.

“No … I think last year I would have worried about it,” Ragnow said. “But this Colton, he’s grown up so much more and developed so much more confidence and swagger. I’m not worried about him.”

Froholdt, the Denmark native behind in football nuances by birth and then moved from the defensive to the offensive line last spring, figured there’s a reason why he has been the only first-team lineman practicing in the same spot.

“I think they are just trying to make sure I am comfortable where I am at,” Froholdt said. “I think I have been down OK so far.”

Difficult to have so many different guys practicing to the left and right of him?

“The different guys are extremely good players and have played the offensive line for a lot longer than I have,” Froholdt said. “So I feel extremely comfortable.”

The Razorbacks took comfort and joy seeing Rawleigh Williams, the running back breaking his neck during the Auburn game last October, thrive Tuesday in his first practice in pads since the injury.

“To see him back on the field is great for the team and how much he loves the game,” junior receiver Jared Cornelius said. “He is making cuts like nothing ever happened. That’s a compliment booster for all of us.”

Williams said he had “no second thoughts” about getting hit in a practice that was full contact other than take the ball-carrier to the ground tackling which the Razorbacks will experience at Saturday’s scrimmage at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“It felt great,” Williams said. “It felt like I never left to be honest with you. I went through half the practice and I was like, ‘Man, I’m doing this.’ It felt great to be back out there and I think I had a great practice.”

Williams said both took some hits and dished them out.

“Santos (Ramirez, the firstteam strong safety) hit me one pretty good time,” Williams said. “That’s just part of the game. It didn’t hurt any so I’m good. I gave a couple hits too. I had some pretty good pass protection today. So it goes both ways.”