2014 Arkansas Razorbacks

[TwentyTwo]

Since 2006 the Razorbacks have started 6, 7, 5, 7, 5, 5, 6, & 7 white starters. This looks to be an average year with 6.

Losing All American Center Travis Swanson to the NFL has left some question marks; causing some reshuffling in the O-Line. They also have the Tallest player in CFB in 6'-10" 320lb LT Dan Skipper. How long will QB Brandon Allen be able to hold of dual threat freshman Rafe Peavy? TE Hunter Henry(soph.) could be a future pro!

On defense MLB Brooks Ellis started as a freshman the second half of the year; at 6'-2" 244 could challenge for All SEC honors in the future!

Though not listed on the 2-deep for now...keep an eye on WR Drew Morgan(soph.) who caught 2 TD's in last Saturday's scrimmage.

On the two deep expected to contribute...JUCO WR-Cody Hollister 6'-4; TE-AJ Derby; QB-Rafe Peavy

*OFFENSE*
QB-Brandon Allen
TE-Hunter Henry
LT-Dan Skipper
C-Luke Charpentier
RT-Brey Cook

*DEFENSE*
MLB-Brooks Ellis

On the 2 deep OLB/S Alex Brignoni (according to some publications)

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

as a follow up to Twenty Two's post which mentioned multi-talented sophomore Drew Morgan, here are some snippets from a couple of reports on his performance at the Razorbacks' first scrimmage of the fall:

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas sophomore Drew Morgan wanted to prove he was worthy of playing time after having only three passes thrown his way last season.

His first week of preseason camp — which was capped by Saturday’s scrimmage in Razorback Stadium — showed the Razorbacks that Morgan may be capable of stepping into a starting spot and playing important role in Arkansas’ offense.

Morgan was the star of Arkansas’ 93-play scrimmage in Razorback Stadium, catching six passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot, 194-pound receiver made his biggest impression by pulling in a 43-yard pass from starting quarterback Brandon Allen, then added 25- and 16-yard touchdown catches.

“I thought Drew Morgan stood out,†Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said.

Morgan was the leader of a receiving corps being counted on to lift a passing offense that was one of the SEC’s worst last season. After one week, the Greenwood native has grown enough — along with Keon Hatcher, Demetrius Wilson, Cody Hollister and Jared Cornelius — to be part of a five-man nucleus that Bielema and the Razorbacks already have targeted as the program’s primary pass catchers.

Morgan said earlier this week he planned to get that type of opportunity in 2013, but never made an impact on the rotation. He did play in 10 games, but never caught a pass and promises it won’t happen again this fall.

“I want to catch 20 or 30 balls as a sophomore because last year not catching any motivated me,†Morgan said last Thursday. “I didn’t catch any my freshman year so I am going to go have a breakout season and build my resume right now.â€

Morgan said he worked extensively with Arkansas strength an conditioning coach Ben Herbert to add size and speed to make it happen. Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith said earlier this week it has made a noticeable difference.

“Out of all my guys right now, Drew is probably playing the best,†Smith said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m super ecstatic about the way Drew is catching the ball, the way he’s competing. The biggest thing I think Drew did this summer is that he got quicker. That’s something I wanted him to work on, and he did it. Right now he’s playing well, he’s running with the ones and doing an excellent job for us right now.â€

The success carried over to Saturday’s practice. His 43-yard catch was the first big play of the scrimmage. It also proved to be the second-longest gain of the day.

But Morgan also had success on a crossing route and through middle of the field.

“He caught all those balls at Greenwood and I knew he could catch,†Bielema said. “He reminds me a lot of the player I had, (former Wisconsin receiver) Jared Abbrederis. Not just because they’re white wide receivers. It’s not that. … It’s that, for them, they have optimal speed but they have to catch everything. They have to be perfect on their routes. They have to understand the correct split. They’ve got to have great communication with their quarterbacks.â€

Morgan seems to be on the same page with starting quarterback Brandon Allen, who went 12-for-22 for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Allen started slow until connecting with Morgan for the 43-yard gain, then closed strong.

FAYETTEVILLE – Last week, Arkansas receivers coach Michael Smith caught the media by surprise saying sophomore Drew Morgan practiced better than any Razorbacks receiver during the first five closed practices.

Saturday's open-to-media scrimmage at Reynolds Razorback Stadium opened the media's eyes that Smith's assessment was understated.

…

Bielema said Morgan's value to "B.A.", as Bielema calls (Arkansas starting quarterback) Brandon Allen, may have stood out most when Morgan suffered heat cramps late in the scrimmage.

"I bet if you walked in the locker room right now, B.A. would say, 'How's 80?' " Bielema said, referring to Morgan by number. " 'Make sure 80 is OK.' I don't know if two weeks ago he would've had that trust and concern."

 

[celticdb15]

as a follow up to Twenty Two's post which mentioned multi-talented sophomore Drew Morgan, here are some snippets from a couple of reports on his performance at the Razorbacks' first scrimmage of the fall:

Great news! I remember you sharing his highlights a few years back good to see he wound up in state as a Razorback. Props to Bielema on his comments!

 

[TwentyTwo]

Hey Jimmy C..Thanks for that encouraging article on Drew Morgan....Coach B "comparing him to Abbrederis..but not because they are white" ha ha ..."but they have to catch everything. They have to be perfect on their routes. They have to understand the correct split. They’ve got to have great communication with their quarterbacks.” Is that not also required from black WR's?? Surely not!

Rivals.Com just UPDATED their "Depth Chart" TODAY...Should have waited one more day... >Drew Morgan is now 2nd Team WR w Cody Hollister...Morgan has some Hog Fans Buzzing...they expect him to be a starter at some point during this season!

NOW the Razorbacks START 7 white players...said they were "reshuffling" the O-Line
*OFFENSE*
QB-Brandon Allen
TE-Hunter Henry
LT-Dan Skipper
LG--Luke Charpentier
C-Mitch Smothers
RT-Brey Cook

*DEFENSE*
MLB-Brooks Ellis

Also Tyler Colquitt is now 2nd Team Fullback & Mitchell Loewen mas moved from TE to the D-Line...hopefully he will get an opportunity for playing time...

 

[Jack Lambert]

Great to see with the Razorbacks guys!! I'm hoping the white WRs get a chance to shine!! And that the white defenders get some good time as well! These guys along with Tennessee should be our SEC teams to cheer on this year.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

another quick follow up on Drew Morgan …

he got in a fight with a black defensive back (of course, that's almost redundant in the SEC) in practice a couple of days ago, and he came out on top of the scuffle. good for him! maybe he has the moxie he needs to overcome the hurdles in front of him.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

while providing some info on Morgan, i have neglected to mention the performance of fellow White sophomore wideout Cody Hollister.

Hollister caught 3 passes for 61 yards and 1 touchdown in the Razorbacks first scrimmage. standing 6-foot-4 and running a reported 4.5 in the 40, Cody offers an excellent blend of size and speed. hopefully, he will emerge as a playmaker in the Razorback passing game.