Razorbacks report

Linemen find way on guide

Arkansas offensive linemen Frank Ragnow (72), Mitch Smothers (65) and Sebastian Tretola (73) block while quarterback Brandon Allen runs a play during practice Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Typically colleges will feature returning skill position players or their head coach on their media guide covers.

Arkansas went another direction for 2015.

The Razorbacks put a group pose of projected offensive line starters Denver Kirkland, Sebastian Tretola, Mitch Smothers, Frank Ragnow and Dan Skipper on their media guide.

Quarterback Brandon Allen, tailback Jonathan Williams and receiver Keon Hatcher, the Hogs' representatives at SEC media days, had no problem with the publicity for the offensive line.

"I think it's awesome," Allen said. "Playing on the offensive line is so tough. You play the dirtiest, the grittiest position and you get no recognition for it.

"So I think any little thing you can do -- take them to dinner, put them in first class on our planes, put them on the cover of the media guide -- that's huge. They deserve every bit of the recognition they get."

Williams said it was pretty cool for the linemen to be the Hogs' cover boys.

"That's where the offense starts," he said. "That's where the team starts. Without guys up front, our talent doesn't mean a whole lot, so we're glad to give those guys a little bit of glamour."

Said Hatcher, "They get down and do the dirty work, so it's cool."

All in

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said every newcomer has cleared all eligibility hurdles and the Razorbacks should have all their signees ready for fall camp in early August.

"No issues whatsoever," Bielema said.

Additionally, the players who spent time on suspension in the spring, like receivers Jojo Robinson and Kendrick Edwards, also are ready for camp.

Bielema said he has put one player, whom he would not name, on suspension Tuesday night for academic reasons.

"I called him last night, called his mom, called his dad," Bielema said. "I said if you sit in the front of the class and you get a teacher at the end of the semester who writes a note and says you were on time for every class period and you paid attention and you got a B or better in the class, then I'll remove the suspension."

The shoes

Bret Bielema tweeted out a picture of the tennis shoes -- sparkly Nike Air Force 1s -- he wore at SEC media days, then cranked up a faux tennis shoe war.

Bielema's tout of the Nike shoes came a day after Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen talked about going "swag" with his adidas shoes in the main media room.

"I wore a little bling on the shoes, just to have some fun," Bielema said. "I saw a coach walk in here yesterday with his adidas on. We're a Nike school. First thing I said was, 'Hell, let's start a little Nike-adidas war.' That's why I did it."

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen said he was impressed with Bielema's shoes.

"When the sunlight first hit them, I had to put on my sunglasses," Allen said. "They were pretty out-there shoes, but I like them. He's a stylish guy. He can wear those shoes and pull it off."

Extra prep

Bret Bielema said he really enjoys the day after Thanksgiving game with new permanent Eastern Division rival Missouri for several reasons, including having an exclusive broadcast window on that day, among other perks.

"I hope we can stay in that spot," Bielema said. "I think it's enjoyable. At some point when you're playing in Atlanta, it's going to give you an extra day of preparation over your opponent ... and I think that's definitely an advantage for you in the long run."

Messing around

Quarterback Brandon Allen said his favorite times at SEC media days were when he was playing around with tailback Jonathan Williams.

Indeed, Allen passed by Williams' table in the main media room making a strange sound on Wednesday afternoon.

"Every time I saw him, being able to make him laugh on camera was my favorite part of the whole day," Allen said. "I love to ruin his interviews and I think it's hilarious."

Ellis on list

Junior linebacker Brooks Ellis was named as one of 80 players on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given annually to college football's top community servant.

Ellis was involved in numerous community service projects last season, including volunteering with Special Olympics, handing out Thanksgiving food at the local Boys & Girls Club, picking up trash at area parks and along state highways, and speaking to underprivileged children.

The Fayetteville native had 72 tackles last season to rank second on the team.

Hanging out with Mannings

Arkansas senior Brandon Allen was among the quarterbacks who worked as counselors at the Manning Passing Academy run by Archie Manning and his sons Peyton and Eli Manning. The camp was held last week at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La.

"I expected it to be great, and it really was great," Allen said. "They do such a good job down there of taking care of you, but it really was about the younger kids that were there, the high school guys.

"Being a mentor and counselor for them was a lot of fun."

Allen said the Mannings spent some time working with the college quarterbacks.

"They put us through a little mini-camp type deal that was really beneficial for us," Allen said. "A lot of game-like situations that we all took some drills back from."

Miami-bound

Bret Bielema, his wife Jen and their two dogs headed to Miami -- where Jen's father lives -- after Wednesday's media obligations to spend a few vacation days. Bielema said he also plans to spend some time working in Miami to finalize preparations for fall camp.

Spreading the word

Brandon Allen, Jonathan Williams and Keon Hatcher posed for a picture with their fellow seniors at 8 a.m. Wednesday, then boarded a school plane at 9 a.m. to fly to Hoover, Ala., to represent Arkansas at media days.

"It's been a long day, but it's been pretty cool," Allen said.

"Definitely a great experience," Hatcher said. "It was really nice to see a lot of people you see on TV and meet new people."

Sports on 07/16/2015