Morris: Hogs end spring practice with B

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas football coach Chad Morris acknowledged “a few” of the Razorbacks did not participate in Wednesday’s final spring practice pending an investigation of a reported altercation at a fraternity house on campus.

The university released a statement regarding the incident:

“The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has been made aware of an incident occurring this past weekend at an event. The event was attended by University of Arkansas students, including members of the football team. The incident is currently being reviewed by UAPD and the Office of Student Standards and Conduct. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will have no further comment until the completion of the review.”

Morris opened his post-practice press conference on the incident.

“I want to open it up by addressing an issue that has came about the last couple of days that occurred this weekend,” he said. “I know our university and athletic department has issued a statement on it yesterday. A review is underway. We are investigating it. Our police department here on campus is investigating it. Obviously I’m limited in the details I can go into. But I will tell you our standard is best. As I have shared with the beginning from our team and with y’all that we have high expectations for our players, for student-athletes both on and off the field. But we’re definitely involved in this as far as an investigation going on. With that I’m gonna close with that.”

Morris admitted that were “a couple of young men not at practice today,” but he declined to name the players.

“No, I can’t,” Morris replied. “I’d rather not. I’m going to be limited in what I can say.”

Regarding the on-field progress of a program he didn’t assume command of until December after head coaching SMU the past three seasons, Morris graded it a B to C work in progress.

“Well, from where we were to where we ended, I, you know, I would definitely believe we improved a lot, both sides of the football,” he said. “If you want to give a grade, a B. From where we are to where we need to be, we’ve got a long way to go. We’re about at a C level right now. And we need to be at an A level.

“I’m not going to come in here and tell you we’re an A-plus on both of them because that means there’s only one place to go and that’s straight down. We’ve got a lot of improving to do. And these players understand that. They know the hard work it’s going to take to get this program where we need to be for our report date in early August.”

Morris said the Razorbacks will get into the third quarter of their summer conditioning program that accelerates into the fourth quarter with the second session of summer school starting around July 4.

“We’ve got to have a tremendous summer,” Morris said.

In the meantime before finishing final exams and getting some time at home, the Razorbacks will have exit interviews with their position coaches and either defensive coordinator John Chavis or offensive coordinator Joe Craddock and finally with Morris.

“I’m excited to see how these exit meetings go, and from there we’ll see how we set the depth chart from that point,” Morris said.

Fans, talk shows and message boards seemed massively to have critiqued the pros and cons of competing quarterbacks Ty Storey, the fourthyear junior from Charleston, and Cole Kelley, the third-year sophomore from Lafayette, La., and last year’s backup and the starter for four games when since graduated 2017 starting quarterback Austin Allen was injured.

“I think both of them bring different strengths,” Morris said. “As I’ve said, I thought Cole’s last six and a half or seven practices were his better of all of them. I thought Ty started off strong and finished consistently.”

Morris said both need to improve over the summer on adapting to quick decisions in the hurry-up pace of his no-huddle offense and the various passes it entails.

“But one thing I am pleased with is we’ve got a good competition going,” Morris said. “They are all pushing each other.”

Morris said competition abounds for positions on both sides of the ball.

Asked if he knew incoming freshman quarterback Connor Noland of Greenwood, also an outstanding baseball player, had let it be known he’s not interested in this summer’s major league baseball draft, Morris said, “I really didn’t know. I know he’s a phenomenal player, a phenomenal athlete. I’m just excited to have him here, and we’re excited for him and excited for our entire program. He’ll definitely continue to give us depth at that position and competition at that position that we’ve got to have each and every year.”

Defensively, Morris said he regrets not working junior defensive lineman McTelvin “Sosa” Agim of Hope earlier at defensive tackle in addition to defensive end and does have plans to work him both spots in the August preseason.

He also praised cornerback Ryan Pulley, safeties Santos Ramirez and Kamren Curl, defensive end Randy Ramsey and inside linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Scoota Harris.

On the second team, he mentioned linebacker Grant Morgan of Greenwood.

“I think Grant Morgan has a chance to be a really good player,” Morris said. “I thought he had some really good days in spring, really showed up.”