FAYETTEVILLE -- Somewhere, sometime, probably at multiple positions, University of Texas graduate Jake Raulerson will figure into the mix on this season's Arkansas offensive line.
Raulerson, who earned a degree in finance in three years, transferred to Arkansas with two years of eligibility, both to work on his masters' at the UA's Walton School of Business and play football for Coach Bret Bielema's Razorbacks.
Raulerson, 6-4, 301, knows his business on the field, for sure. He has practiced at center and right guard during fall camp. Now add right tackle, Raulerson's first-team slot in last Saturday's scrimmage.
Raulerson not only knows his business, but in Bielema's view, could minor in foreign languages, too.
"We've got totally different terminology than they had at Texas, so I've been very impressed," Bielema said. "He got here maybe 10 days before we started fall camp and he's played center, guard and tackle and hasn't missed a beat. I know he's very conscientious."
And very valuable. The versatility of Dan Skipper and Frank Ragnow, Arkansas' only two starting offensive linemen returned from 2015, and Raulerson have enabled Bielema and new offensive line coach Kurt Anderson to move linemen like chess pieces.
Sophomore left guard Hjalte Froholdt is the only lineman who has stayed first-team at one spot.
Senior three-year starter Skipper, a guard in 2013, left tackle in 2014 and right tackle in 2015, has played them all this August. He scrimmaged Saturday at left tackle.
Junior two-year letterman Ragnow, a backup center in 2014 and starting right guard in 2015, has practiced both places first-team and has the agility to play tackle, too, Bielema said.
"Frank could probably play all three positions," Bielema said. "Jake is one of those guys kinda like Frank. He's a very intelligent player and because of that he might be our next best option by committee at right tackle."
Sophomore Zach Rogers, Saturday's first-team right guard as Ragnow played center, has impressed Bielema at both center and guard.
Redshirt freshman Jalen Merrick, also a guard, showed so well at right tackle also to net first-team time scrimmage time.
Bielema and Anderson certainly won't give up on third-year sophomore Brian Wallace and redshirt freshman Colton Jackson, who started camp as first-teamers but have since been displaced.
Bielema and former Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman were thrilled with Wallace's progress as he redshirted in 2014.
Jackson was touted last spring after redshirting in 2015. There are numerous examples of linemen, once scorned, who become stars.
Offensive linemen tend to take the longest to mature physically and mentally before consistently fulfilling all that is required.
It takes time to build a line. Thanks to the versatility of three old hands, the Arkansas line can buy some time.
Sports on 08/15/2016