FAYETTEVILLE — Observations from Arkansas' first fully open practice of fall camp.
— Bret Bielema surprised the players and coaches by cutting the practice short just past the midway point, during the 13th of 24 periods, so the team could head next door for an impromptu swim at the HPER. Bielema kept the surprise to himself, not even telling his coaches. Provided a nice break to the mid-August monotony.
—In the starters v. starters portion of the team period, the defense dominated. Quarterbacks were off limits in green jerseys, but Austin Allen would’ve been sacked or hit on the majority of his dropbacks if it had been live. The defensive line was dominant. Deatrich Wise gave right tackle Brian Wallace fits, but the whole D-Line was impressive. Shaky day for the offensive line. Kurt Anderson talked about how there’d be ups and downs in fall camp and that he and OC Dan Enos might have one more iteration of the starting lineup to try before they settle on the five they’re going with and start focusing on establishing their top eight or so. Thursday, the line looked like:
RT — Brian Wallace, Johnny Gibson
RG Zach Rogers, Paul Ramirez
C Frank Ragnow, Jake Raulerson
LG Hjalte Froholdt, Deion Malone
LT Dan Skipper, Colton Jackson
—Arkansas hosted scouts from the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns. Bret Bielema referenced them when ripping into Dominique Reed after the senior WR lined up wrong. He’d already dropped a few passes before that. Bielema told him his speed didn’t matter to scouts if he couldn’t line up right. Michael Smith said Reed’s approach needs to be better Friday.
—Jared Cornelius made a one-handed circus catch deep downfield despite being interfered by Kevin Richardson. Most impressive offensive play of the day.
— Identifying the next few tight ends after Jeremy Sprinkle was one of the big storylines entering fall camp. Austin Cantrell seems to be asserting himself. While the pass game is still a work in progress, every offensive coach has lauded his physicality and blocking in the run game.
—Allen had a funny moment with some support staff (managers or GAs) when they dropped a handful of passes in a row during an early-practice segment. Allen ran a route himself, made a catch and surmised that if he were 6-6, he’d have been a tight end. Cole Kelley didn’t necessarily agree with that. It was a funny exchange.