FAYETTEVILLE — There seems to be at least one in every workplace.

That newcomer with little regard for seniority. A fresh face who bursts onto the scene without paying dues, leapfrogging those who have been around longer.

Count Arkansas wide receiver Crosby Tuck, kicker Alex Tejada, quarterback Nathan Dick and tight end / H-back D. J. Williams firmly in that camp. All four freshmen figure prominently into the Razorbacks ’ plans this season, and none has a second of college game experience.

There are 28 freshmen on the Razorbacks roster. All but a handful seem destined for redshirt seasons and the scout team.

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Tuck and Tejada could make the biggest immediate impact. Kicker and wide receiver were major concerns for the Razorbacks in the aftermath of a threegame losing streak to conclude last season.

Tejada, from Springdale, will start at place-kicker. The position has been a weak spot for several of Coach Houston Nutt’s previous teams, but Tejada has shown a strong leg, going 2 of 3 from beyond 50 yards in a recent scrimmage.

“You gain a lot of confidence with Tejada,” Nutt said.

Tuck also has provided Arkansas some relief in the absence of leading receiver Marcus Monk. Finding a receiver who could complement Monk was a priority coming into camp, and a brief bit of panic ensued when Monk had to have arthroscopic surgery last week.

Tuck’s emergence seems to have calmed some nerves among the Arkansas coaching staff. He has performed well in individual and team drills, and made a strong showing in scrimmages.

Offensive coordinator David Lee raved about Tuck following the Razorbacks’ most recent scrimmage. Tuck has been crisp in his route running and has shown the same playmaking ability that helped him catch 78 passes for 1, 640 yards and 21 touchdowns as a high school senior at Shiloh Christian.

“He’s impressive,” Lee said. “We’ve got to play him.”

Coaches are also high on Williams, a big, athletic tight end who can play multiple positions. Williams’ chances at contributing are even greater with fullback / H-back Peyton Hillis and tight end Ben Cleveland missing time because of injuries. Hillis, who returned to practice Tuesday after nursing a sore hamstring, and Cleveland give Arkansas additional receiving options, and Williams provides great hands too.

Getting a good handle on the playbook is Williams’ top priority. He said he typically arrives an hour before practice to watch film with tight ends coach James Shibest.

“I’m so far behind coming in as a freshman,” Wiliams said.

Dick seems to be the wild card among the group. He’s shown flashes in practice and scrimmage situations and looks comfortable running the offense.

Coaches are using Dick with the secondteam offense this week. They’re wanting to see how he works under center after a high school career spent in the Shotgun.

Like his classmates, Dick also needs a better understanding of the playbook. He has the advantage of studying with his brother, junior starting quarterback Casey Dick, and seems to be edging past Nathan Emert for the No. 2 quarterback role.

“We have given him more reps,” Nutt said. “He’s got the arm, but can he get all the other stuff ? That’s what is tough as a freshman.”

Defensive end Demario Ambrose has shown promise in preseason camp, along with offensive linemen Grant Cook and Wade Grayson. Arkansas is also counting on special teams contributions from cornerback Isaac Madison and linebackers Freddy Burton and Jermaine Love.

All of the freshmen, no matter how much promise they’ve shown, understand they have a lot to learn.

“This is a totally different game from high school,” Cook said. “You’ve got some animals out here and if you don’t go hard every play, you’re going to get embarrassed.”