FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow, whose father passed last Saturday, is slated to be back in Fayetteville either Thursday or Friday, and plans to play in this Saturday's 6 p.m. game with visiting No. 1 Alabama.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said there has been daily contact with Ragnow, a key cog this season for No. 16 Arkansas.
“Yeah you know, had conversations with Frank every day, more through social media, through texting and whatnot,” Bielema said. “I think he's just got a lot on his plate there.
“He did ask us earlier in the week to try to do whatever we could to keep him involved in the game plan. Walked in the other day and (offensive line graduate assistant) Brey Cook was videoing (offensive line coach Kurt) Anderson on the board diagramming the game plan which was entertainment in itself.
“I jumped in front of the camera and gave a 'What's up?' to Frank as he watched it. We've sent those to him I think about every day. I think his intent is to get back here Thursday or Friday.”
Bielema noted that a lot will be determined Wednesday.
“(Ragnow) talked about the possibility of his family getting here but I think those are all things that are probably gonna get worked out in the next 24 hours,” Bielema said.
“We'd love to have him with us and obviously understand if he's not. He's got bigger things to worry about than Bama right now.”
The Arkansas head coach noted that the decision to play is simply up to Ragnow and nobody else.
“One hundred percent,” Bielema said. “I made that very clear for him early on. I knew he had certain things Saturday he said to me right away but again, when you're in these type of scenarios, things change minute-to-minute and I just wanted to make sure he knew we were here with him and wanted to be around him if we can be a reprieve for him a couple hours each day that's great.”