Razorbacks report

Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey transfers to SMU

Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey passes during warm ups before an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey will transfer to SMU, he announced Tuesday evening.

The move came three days after Peavey, a redshirt sophomore, was passed over for second-team work by redshirt freshman Ty Storey and true freshman Cole Kelley.

Peavey posted a prepared statement to his Twitter account around 8:10 p.m., reading, in part, "After much prayer and consideration, it is with a heavy heart that I'm informing y'all that I have decided to further my career at SMU.

"It was a tough decision to leave the school that I committed to as a sophomore in high school, but I look forward to what God has in store for me in this new chapter of my life and ultimately I have faith in His plans over mine."

Peavey also thanked his teammates and fans.

Peavey's departure leaves four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, with redshirt freshman Ricky Town joining Allen, Storey and Kelley. Walk-ons Jack Lindsey and Carson Proctor are also on the roster.

The 6-1, 203-pounder did not play during Saturday's final major scrimmage of fall practice. He must sit out the 2016 season because of the transfer rule and have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2017.

Austin Allen was named the starting quarterback about midway through spring drills. Peavey entered camp as the No. 2 quarterback, but offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos said Aug. 10 that there was not a No. 2 at that time.

Peavey suffered a minor back injury that required surgery in mid-July, and Coach Bret Bielema said it was affecting his velocity a couple of weeks ago.

Bielema said Saturday that the coaches wanted to take a harder look at Storey and Kelley with the second unit.

"We've seen a lot of him, and there's been some really, really good things and some things that I wish would come along a little bit quicker," Bielema said of Peavey. "I love his attitude. I love his demeanor.

"He does everything right. He asks all the right questions. He puts in as much work as anybody, if not more. He's playing with an injured back. He's doing all the things we ask him to do, but the bottom line is performance and where we are. I needed to see those other two guys to see if they could be beyond him."

Tech stock

Arkansas devoted a solid chunk of Tuesday's practice, the first since classes began Monday, to preparation for the Sept. 3 opener against Louisiana Tech.

"We got off to a good start," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "A lot happens the first day of class, and you've got guys breaking up to scout team, but I really liked the way our guys responded. We'll be going full-speed ahead on those guys up until game time."

Pick king

Safety De'Andre Coley said he had two interceptions Tuesday to run his total to seven interceptions since the start of camp.

That figure gives Coley the lead in his competition with cornerback Kevin Richardson.

"Well, me and Kevin Richardson were competing with interceptions," Coley said with a smile. "We both ended [camp] with five. I caught two today and he caught one. I'm in the lead right now."

Defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads said Coley has established himself in the rotation.

"He's had a very good camp," Rhoads said. "The last third of spring ball he really took off. I think a little bit of it was the light going on and understanding and being at a higher level."

Ledbetter lip

Defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter said he has a running competition with quarterback Austin Allen regarding his pass-rush pressure. Ledbetter and Allen were seen chirping at each other during Saturday's scrimmage inside Walker Pavilion, particularly after Ledbetter breached the pocket.

"Just me coming around that edge and telling Austin, 'You know I can't touch you, right?' " Ledbetter said, laughing. "I tell him all the time, 'That's a sack. I just want to let you know that.' "

Because Arkansas quarterbacks wear green no-contact jerseys, Ledbetter said Coach Bret Bielema has to determine whether some pass plays are sacks or completions.

Corner update

Cornerback Jared Collins said he'll probably be in a cast for another couple of weeks after breaking a bone in his right hand last week. He also had a broken right hand last year and wore a cast for several weeks during the season.

"Same hand," Collins said. "I'm just going to take it and roll with it. I'm going to pray for a fast healing."

Collins said he isn't positive when the break occurred, but it was possibly when he hit it against a teammate's helmet.

"I actually didn't know it was broken, so I went back out there," he said. "The pain was where I could handle it, so I just continued to play."

Cornerback DJ Dean might be in position to return for game week against Louisiana Tech as he rehabilitates from a hamstring injury.

"I think he's ahead of schedule," defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads said. "There's no set date on when we're going to get him, but I think he's ahead of schedule."

Beanum full go

Defensive end Tevin Beanum took work with the first- and second-team defense Tuesday in his first work with full pads. Beanum joined the 105-man roster midway through last week but had not gotten in enough mandatory days in shorts and half pads to work in Saturday's scrimmage.

"It was great to have him back involved," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "We certainly have high hopes for him, and I know he has high expectations for himself. It was a good first day in pads and I think he is excited and champing at the bit."

Signee on hold

Signee Michael Taylor has not yet reported to Arkansas, but he's hoping to make it by the end of the week, he told WholeHogSports.com.

"If everything works out, I will leave tomorrow, but I'm still waiting to hear back," Taylor said, referencing Riverside (Calif.) Community College. "Every time we get over one problem, another one shows up."

The 6-4, 240-pound defensive end was one of three players to sign after national signing day, joining offensive lineman Jake Raulerson and cornerback Britto Tutt.

If Taylor is able to make it in, he would have four years to play three with the Razorbacks.

Sports on 08/24/2016