FAYETTEVILLE — It's a good sign that newcomers are not counted on for key roles throughout the depth chart. That's where Arkansas sits ahead of the start of fall camp Thursday.
Yes, Devwah Whaley and T.J. Hammonds might get time at running back, but there are some old hands ready to shoulder the load early in Kody Walker, Rawleigh Williams and Damon Mitchell.
Of course, there are several newcomers slated to get a quick look in the offensive line. Texas transfer Jake Raulerson and JUCO transfer Paul Ramirez won't be here to sit on the bench. True freshman Jake Heinrich may be too special to sit long, either.
McTelvin “Sosa” Agim went through the winter and spring workouts and figures to play a lot at defensive end, and perhaps at tackle in pass situations.
Those are obvious players in the mix to make the travel squad. But it could be that this class is so deep that a double handful play as first-year players.
Head coach Bret Bielema has done a nice job of stocking his roster over his first three seasons. So it should be that most in this class redshirt.
But last week when he met with the media at a golf outing in Bella Vista, there was a heads-up that this class of newcomers is special. He said the older players continue to mention one newcomer after another with talent to play quick.
“They tell me that this is a really good group,” Bielema said. “That's a good sign.”
There are a few periods open on Thursday when the team practices for the first time. So what will I be watching for with these new guys? Where will I start?
I'll be honest, it's like Christmas for me. There are goodies everywhere. I love defensive linemen, so I might have to begin there where assistant coach Rory Segrest welcomes Austin Capps, Briston Guidry and Jonathan Marshall to go with the awesome-looking Agim.
Marshall is the one who Dudley Dawson, the Hawgs Illustrated recruiting editor, said will pass the eye test first among the newcomers. He was 6-foot-4, 260 pounds when he came through campus in January before flipping his commitment from Oklahoma State to Arkansas. He's listed at 299 pounds now and still can run. I gotta see that.
There are others on the defensive side capable of at least helping in special teams. Finally, there is a class loaded with linebackers. Alexy-Jean Baptist, Giovanni LaFrance, De'Jon Harris and Dee Walker have defensive coordinator Robb Smith drooling.
Harris is listed at 6-foot, 255. He played some quarterback in the Wildcat in high school. I gotta see that, too.
Bielema gets it on the walk-on front - after all, that's how he began his career at Iowa. This year's walk-on group is impressive.
I want to see kicker Connor Limpert, wideout Tobias Enlow, linebacker Grant Morgan, running back Justice Hobbs and offensive linemen Dylan Hays and Tyler Hall. It's a wonderful group. These guys would probably have gotten scholarships at Arkansas in another year. I bet some do before they are done.
I want to see quarterback Cole Kelley. At 6-7, 258, can he move? I know to expect a big arm. I recall seeing Joe Ferguson, Troy Aikman and Ryan Mallett for the first time in practice. Does Kelley compare to any of those? I'm told he might.
What about defensive back Britto Tutt, the JUCO transfer? Can he help right away. I'm told he can. There's also Deon Edwards and Micahh Smith to check out.
Wideouts Kofi Boateng, Jordan Jones and D'Vone McClure are supposed to be special. McClure was a late addition after trying his hand at pro baseball. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the Indians out of high school, forgoing his scholarship to play for the Diamond Hogs.
There's a deep list of tight ends on the returning roster at tight end. But not everyone has figured out all of the details. Can Grayson Gunter?
I do want to check out the way Jack Kraus moves after rehabbing from knee surgery. I bet he is part of the answer at tight end. He's not a newcomer, but he wasn't out there in the spring.
What about Deion Malone? He was the JUCO transfer learning the speed of Division I last spring. I bet he's ready to show that he knows what Kurt Anderson taught him in April.
It's always a fun few days as you sort through the new list, learning numbers and watching as Bielema and his coaches get them all at their best spots. There will be some surprises. I'm ready to learn them.