FAYETTEVILLE — The Razorbacks had some padding on for the first time in fall camp Wednesday, but Arkansas defensive coordinator Chris Ash said the team is far from ready to play in the Southeastern Conference.
"We were in shoulder pads and really didn't have much more contact than we did in helmets but guys were flying around and getting better," Ash said.
"Are we ready to play a SEC game today? Not even close. But we still have plenty of time.
"It's not just the SEC I'm worried about, though. We've got a pretty tough opener with Louisiana-Lafayette."
While Ash said the Razorbacks are not ready to take on a schedule that features conference road games against Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama and LSU, he said the defense has made significant strides since the spring.
"This isn't the same football team," he said. "Don't confuse that with being ready to play the game but for getting to the right spots and playing fast it's not the same defense right now. I am excited about that."
The Razorbacks wore shoulder pads Wednesday and will wear full pads for the first time on Friday. Arkansas defensive end Chris Smith said a little more physicality in practice helped the defense's morale.
"It felt good, especially going against the offensive line in one-on-ones," Smith said. "Without any pads, we feel like it's more of an offensive drill, but we got a little popping in today and stuff like that. It was fun getting the pads on and we're ready to move forward. I feel like everybody got better today.
"Competing with the offensive line gave us that game feel, but we kept everybody safe and things of that nature, so we're just ready to go."
Second down: Linebackers back
A.J. Turner and Otha Peters proved themselves as capable linebackers in their first season, but the sophomores are having to prove themselves again following off-season injuries.
Turner suffered a broken wrist and Peters a hip injury in the spring, leaving the Razorbacks' linebacker corps a little thin. Both are healthy again this preseason, working in each of Arkansas' first three practices.
"It was great to see, because like anything as a coach, you want every kid to get an opportunity to play and help the football team," first-year linebackers coach Randy Shannon said. "And those guys did well last year for us. Now this year is a different situation. They came into spring kind of nicked up, were limited in what they were doing, but now they're back. They're competing and having fun and moving around."
Turner and Peters have added depth to the position with the addition of Martrell Spaight and Brooks Ellis this preseason. Shannon said the linebacker positions are undefined at this point, calling each of three spots "anybody's job."
"I know that everybody wants a first and a second team, but we haven't had a first scrimmage yet," Shannon said. "It's just a starting point. Like I said before, since the first day I've been playing the ones with the ones, then I put the twos with the ones. I put the threes with the twos. I'm just rotating guys, just to give them some reps to see how they respond.
"They like the rotation, but they know when scrimmage time comes, they have to perform at that level."
Third down: Off-season gains
Several players reported new weights and personal bests in the weight room on Wednesday.
Senior defensive tackle Byran Jones said he now weighs 320 pounds, about 15 more from the start of last season. The Junction City native said his bench press is 420 pounds and his squat is around 680 pounds.
"I basically focused on being stronger with my lower body and getting stronger with my upper body, just all the way around," Jones said. "I'm moving well with it."
Cornerback Will Hines said his bench press is up nearly 30 pounds from the spring to 305 pounds. Safety Rohan Gaines said he now bench presses 360 pounds.
"I've put on some weight, and I'm just more mentally ready than in the past," Gaines said. "I feel like that's going to help me get off blocks well, use my hands. It's going to allow me to be a better football player."
Ash said there is an adjustment period with the weight gain, but credited strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert for the transformation players have undergone.
"They are definitely bigger, stronger and more physical," Ash said. "They have got to get used to carrying that extra weight on the practice field because some of them are not in football playing shape right now. Some of these guys are carrying 15 to 20 pounds more than a year ago. It takes a toll on your body but we are trying to develop a big, physical football team that can run and play for four quarters.
"Coach Herb is doing a great job with his part of it."
Fourth down: Back in black
One season after donning black jerseys for the first time in school history, Arkansas' players are prominently sporting the color again this preseason.
The Razorbacks wore black cleats and black shorts in practice Wednesday. Several coaches have sported black shirts and other tops throughout the first few days.
"I think that carried over from Wisconsin with Coach B," Smith said. "I'm loving it. I love black and I've been wearing it my whole life. My first time wearing the white gear was with Coach (Bobby) Petrino and John L. (Smith), but I think everyone is loving going with a new style."
Players indicate an abundance of colors and styles a team offers is important in the ever evolving world of recruiting.
"If Oregon didn't really have its uniforms, I'd say they'd have less recruits," Arkansas cornerback Will Hines said. "Nobody wants to play in trashy uniforms."