FAYETTEVILLE -- Fourth-year Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema realizes there will be a lot of focus on the Razorbacks' quarterback battle when spring drills start in nine days.
But Bielema believes there should be strong competition going on across the board as the Razorbacks look to improve on an 8-5 season.
"Offensive line, D-line, we've got some great battles going on," Bielema said. "On the back end, I think, as well. I'm really excited about this group."
Junior Austin Allen is expected to start with the first unit at quarterback, while redshirt sophomore Rafe Peavey, redshirt freshman Ty Storey and transfer freshman Ricky Town hope to move up the depth chart. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos said on signing day that he expects quarterback signee Cole Kelley, a 6-7, 260-pounder from Lafayette, La., to get off to a good start in fall camp as well.
Sosa's spot
Blue-chip signee McTelvin Agim -- who goes by the nickname "Sosa" -- got in a few bowl practices before Arkansas departed for Memphis and its 45-23 Liberty Bowl victory over Kansas State. Now the 6-3, 290-pound Agim is ready to show what he's got in earnest this spring.
Coach Bret Bielema said Agim, an early enrollee from Hope, would begin his college career at the team's rush end, or 'R' position, which Trey Flowers manned two seasons ago. Tevin Beanum and others played the spot last season.
"He's actually up to 290 pounds," Bielema said. "I was giving him some heat. His Nike 'Opening' shirt was a little bit snug on him. So he's grown a little bit since Hope. He's an impressive kid."
Returning stats
Arkansas returns 907 of its 2,565 rushing yards, or 35.4 percent, led by sixth-year senior Kody Walker's 394 yards and sophomore Rawleigh Williams' 254 yards. That duo, plus receivers Jared Cornelius and Dominique Reed, combined for 10 of Arkansas' 31 rushing touchdowns.
The Razorbacks return a much-higher percentage of their receiving stats, 72.8 percent (2,537 of 3,486 yards), led by Drew Morgan's team-high 843 yards and 10 touchdowns, Dominique Reed's 535 yards and 6 touchdowns, Jeremy Sprinkle's 389 yards and 6 touchdowns, and Jared Cornelius' 393 yards and 3 touchdowns. Returning pass catchers accounted for 28 of the Hogs' 31 receiving scores.
Quarterback Austin Allen accounted for 35 passing yards, or 1 percent of Arkansas' 3,486 yards, with his brother Brandon Allen throwing for 3,440 yards and returning running back Damon Mitchell accumulating the other 11 yards on a throwback to Brandon Allen in overtime during Arkansas' 54-46 victory over Auburn.
Ringing Bell
Bret Bielema is challenging redshirt freshman Jamario Bell to get with the program academically if he wants to remain viable in the program.
Asked whether Bell was out of his dog house after serving a week's suspension from team activities, Bielema responded, "Depends on what day it is. What's today?"
Bielema then referenced what Bell, from Junction City, elected to do March 11.
"We had a study hall from 2 to 4 [p.m.] for anybody that has multiple grade issues. He decided to drive home instead," Bielema said. "That went over like a lead balloon. So he paid the piper and didn't like it, but until he grows up and understands it's our terms and not his, he'll be a nonfactor."
Bielema said Bell would be available to start spring practice but added, "I don't know how much he'll be out there."
Splitting it up
Running backs coach Jemal Singleton held the designation as special teams coach last year, while Rory Segrest handled the kickers and punters. With Reggie Mitchell now serving as running backs coach, Bret Bielema said he will split up special teams duties among his staff.
Bielema said he will continue to handle punt returns, as he did last season. New defensive backs coach Paul Rhoads will take over kickoff coverage, and Mitchell will deal with kickoff returns.
Full house
Representatives from all 32 NFL teams were in attendance for Arkansas' pro day last Wednesday, including two scouts from the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans. Coach Bret Bielema said it marked the first time in his career that all 32 teams came to a pro day with which he was associated.
In addition, Bielema said, one unnamed team flew in its head coach, general manager and other front office staff later in the week to further evaluate the Razorbacks' crop of pro hopefuls.
Change up
Former Hogs running back Jonathan Williams wanted to run better than the 4.55 time he clocked in the 40-yard dash on pro day, but he was pleased with his shuttle time and his three-cone drill work, which showed his surgically repaired left foot was in good shape.
"I think that definitely helped me out a lot," Williams said. "Some of the scouts came and said that's really what they came to see, and I did well. So everything I've been hearing is positive."
Top Gaines
Safety Rohan Gaines lifted 225 pounds 22 times on the bench press at pro day, a figure that equaled the best mark by a defensive back at this year's NFL scouting combine.
Defensive linemen DeMarcus Hodge and Mitchell Loewen and offensive lineman Mitch Smothers all did 30 repetitions on the bench Wednesday, and those numbers would have tied each of them for fifth place at their positions at the combine.
Sports on 03/20/2016