ARKANSAS SPRING FOOTBALL FAQ

Let's start with QB, and work down the line

Arkansas quarterbacks Austin Allen (left) and Rafe Peavey stretch prior to an April 20, 2014 practice in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Spring break at the University of Arkansas is over, and for the first time in many years that means it's time for spring football to begin.

The Razorbacks will squeeze all 15 spring football practices into a four-week window, concluding with the Red-White game at noon April 23.

Arkansas will finish a week later than any other SEC team. Seven SEC schools -- Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri and Tennessee -- have spring games scheduled for April 16.

One school, Vanderbilt, will be done for four days before Arkansas starts Tuesday.

None of that matters to fourth-year Coach Bret Bielema.

"I really don't care about what other people are doing," Bielema said. "It just matters what the Razorbacks do."

Arkansas has improved its record each season under Bielema, reaching 8-5 last season, which included a season-ending bowl victory. It's the first time Arkansas has won bowl games in consecutive years.

Staying on that upward trend will be a challenge, with big transitions at quarterback, running back and the offensive line taking place.

The Razorbacks also will be integrating new terminology in some areas, most notably in the secondary, where former Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads will work with coordinator Robb Smith and a veteran group.

"Paul, when he came in, taught me four basic steps that he likes to teach," Bielema said. "Every coverage and every call too, that will be new to the DBs. It'll be a great way for them to learn his style, and it will probably be a better approach for them down the road."

Let's focus on the eight biggest questions facing the Razorbacks in spring drills.

1.WHO WILL RISE AT QB?

Bielema has previously announced that redshirt junior Austin Allen is targeted to start running with the first team based on his tenure in the program. Allen, the brother of three-year starter Brandon Allen, also followed in his brother's footsteps at Fayetteville High, leading his team to two Class 7A state championships.

But Allen's career numbers are 9 of 19 for 188 passing yards, with a touchdown, an interception and one rushing touchdown. His only meaningful appearance came in the Hogs' 30-0 victory over Ole Miss late in 2014 when Brandon Allen was sidelined with an oblique muscle injury.

The other challengers, in order of their arrival on campus, are redshirt sophomore Rafe Peavey, redshirt freshman Ty Storey and USC transfer Ricky Town, a redshirt freshman.

Town served as a scout team quarterback last fall after his arrival early in camp, but Town did not have the offensive lingo down pat when the Razorbacks started bowl practices, Bielema said. Any chance for Town to make a move hinges on whether he brushed up on what Bielema calls "hoganese" over the winter. Bielema said Town has made big strides.

Peavey's ability to run has been masked because his scrambles are typically blown dead rather quickly, but his passing with the second team has not been prolific in scrimmages open to the media.

Both Peavey and Storey, who won his final 29 games at quarterback with Charleston High, racked up big credentials at smaller schools. But neither put together huge scrimmage showings with the reserve units last spring or fall.

The Razorbacks return pass catchers who combined for 28 touchdown catches last season, but they will be dependent on a quarterback who can distribute the ball to them.

Offensive coordinator Dan Enos, who is also the quarterbacks coach, drew accolades for his work with Brandon Allen last year. But Allen was a two-year starter. Now, he faces a challenging task of preparing a quarterback without starting experience to be ready for SEC play.

2.CAN LINEBACKER DEPTH BE BUOYED?

Both senior Brooks Ellis and sophomore Dre Greenlaw need to improve on their coverage skills. But it is imperative that more talent rises behind them for position coach Vernon Hargreaves.

Ellis led the team in tackles with 102, and Greenlaw was next with 95. The next-highest ranking tackler at linebacker was Josh Williams (16), whose season ended after he suffered a broken leg in Arkansas' 24-20 victory at Tennessee in Week 5. Dwayne Eugene and Khalia Hackett saw intermittent action last year. Josh Harris was a beast in scrimmages.

Derrick Graham, a 6-4, 247-pounder who redshirted last year, could be a thumper, and Kendrick Jackson, who became a solid fullback by the end of last season, could make the switch back to linebacker.

Another possibility is Randy Ramsey, who missed last season and was out of school while getting his academics in order. He returned without a scholarship this semester and has earned tenuous praise from Bielema.

"I hate to brag on him too much, just because he tends to take sugar and run with it ... but I think the addition of bringing Randy Ramsey back, he's As and Bs, he's very, very engaged with the football activities," Bielema said. "I'm super excited about him."

Ramsey could be a difference-maker at outside linebacker, leading to more 4-3 sets than the Razorbacks employed last season.

3.WHO WILL EMERGE ON THE OL?

Frank Ragnow (right guard) and Dan Skipper (right tackle) are the returning starters with the departure of Denver Kirkland, Sebastian Tretola and Mitch Smothers. Skipper seems set at right tackle, but Ragnow will get work at center, along with Zach Rogers, Hjalte Froholdt and Deon Malone.

Brian Wallace, the presumptive starter at left tackle, should get a strong push from Conway's Colton Jackson, who stacked a strong winter performance on top of his redshirt year. Johnny Gibson and Jalen Merrick are also in the mix for new position coach Kurt Anderson, who, according to Bielema, has the group "wrapped around his finger."

4.HOW MUCH LIVE TACKLING?

The Razorbacks will engage in tackling to the ground, but it will likely be limited to Saturday scrimmages and maybe a few practice periods, a topic of discussion as the NCAA continues to look at player safety.

Running back Jonathan Williams, despite Bielema's plan to preserve him, was lost last year with a foot injury on his eighth carry of fall camp when 333-pound DeMarcus Hodge fell on him. It is part of football. Still, judicious use of full tackling is a consideration in Bielema's mind.

5.WILL SECONDARY EVOLVE UNDER PAUL RHOADS?

Four starters return -- corners Jared Collins and D.J. Dean, nickel back Henre Toliver and safety Josh Liddell -- out of the five positions. Additionally, versatile Kevin Richardson and safety Santos Ramirez have seen substantial game action.

The Razorbacks got away from the press-man coverage that had been beneficial in 2014. Perhaps the coaches will feel more comfortable running more man with a pass rush that is expected to be better in the fall.

This is a big spring for young guys such as Ramirez, Ryan Pulley, Cornelius Floyd, Willie Sykes and Nate Dalton, and older hand De'Andre Coley, who is a punishing tackler but hasn't managed to crack into the game-day mix.

6.WHAT IS THE INJURY SITUATION?

Tailback Rawleigh Williams III will run in individual and group drills, but his participation in team periods will be limited to nontackling work. He's been cleared after undergoing surgery in October to repair a broken bone in his neck. Bielema said Williams "looks phenomenal," but live tackling will wait until closer to the season opener Sept. 3 vs. Louisiana Tech.

Cornerback D.J. Dean (foot) and receiver Drew Morgan (shoulder) will have limitations. Receiver Dominique Reed (28-535 receiving, 6 TDs), last seen being carted off at the Liberty Bowl with a head injury, is doing fine. Linebacker Josh Williams is still out. He lost muscle in his calf during his recovery from a broken leg.

Defensive end JaMichael Winston, who was wearing a walking boot on his left foot at pro day, should be OK.

7.WHO WILL CARRY THE BALL?

Kody Walker arrived a year before Jonathan Williams and two years before Alex Collins, but he has another year to play. Walker, who has scored 13 touchdowns over four seasons, finished strong in 2015 and is the lead tailback on the depth chart, no doubt earning a lighter scrimmage load after rushing for 174 rushing yards and three touchdowns in last year's Red-White game with Collins and Williams held out.

The coaching staff has liked what its seen from Denzell Evans and Juan Day this winter, and they will get plenty of action in the spring, along with Damon "Duwop" Mitchell, a playmaker-in-waiting, who is hoping to settle into a role after bouncing around on offense at quarterback and wideout.

8.TEAM LEADERS?

Fifth-year senior receiver Keon Hatcher -- who had 13 catches for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending broken foot Sept. 12 -- will be a strong voice on offense, along with Walker, Skipper and whoever emerges as the top quarterback.

The defensive huddle includes senior linemen JaMichael Winston, Deatrich Wise Jr., Jeremiah Ledbetter and Taiwan Johnson. Winston was a captain last year. Linebacker Ellis is another returning captain, and there are several experienced defensive backs.

Sports on 03/27/2016