FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas released its depth chart Friday with several notable newcomers lined up to play in next Thursday’s opener against Florida A&M in Little Rock.
“Probably wasn't any big news to anybody,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. “That's just kind of a starting point. That's based on obviously some of the guys were a little bit limited during fall camp with some different injuries. If they're not listed in the two-deep that could be an evolution over the first couple of game weeks.”
Senior linebacker Dwayne Eugene was listed as the first-team Hog linebacker after working at both the inside and outside spots in the Razorbacks’ 3-4 scheme this spring and summer.
“We were really excited when we moved him outside,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said. “He was just a more natural football player as an outside linebacker than he was as a inside linebacker.
“As he developed there we started schooling him at both positions, the Razor and the Hog. He does a nice job of physically playing on the tight end. So we’ve started giving him more reps at the Hog spot, and (first-team Razor linebacker Randy Ramsey) is a little bit better athletically in the open field and he has just continued to emerge as the leader at that position."
Bielema said it was time for Eugene to find a home instead of being a jack-of-all trades linebacker.
“He played all three linebacker positions, but we didn't allow him to get great at anything,” Bielema said. “So we put him at outside linebacker, restricted his vision and made him learn those things and he got a lot better in a hurry. That's why we kind of stayed with it.”
Redshirt freshman middle linebacker Grant Morgan is behind starter Dre Greenlaw and true freshman outside linebacker Hayden Henry - working behind Ramsey at Razor - were both slotted as backups.
“I'll tell you the other guy that's been very impressive is Grant Morgan,” Bielema said. “Grant would probably be the guy that would go in at both (inside linebacker) positions.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Kelley had been named the second-team signal caller earlier this week, but was also listed as the second-team punter behind Blake Johnson.
“It'll probably surprise some people what he can do, talent-wise,” Bielema said. “Also (Connor) Limpert can also hit the ball. He's a left-footed punter, so just strategically on the field we might use him in different spots.
“But the plan would be if Blake is hitting the ball the way he has all fall camp he'd be the guy that handles all of them.”
Limpert is set to handle kickoffs while Cole Hedlund will handle field goals and PATs. Blake Mazza is the backup at both spots.
Arkansas plans to use five players at its two tight end spots with Austin Cantrell and Cheyenne O’Grady being tabbed as starters. Bielema said sophomore tight end Grayson Gunter - coming off shoulder surgery in January - will redshirt this year.
“Just with where he was at, had the shoulder injury and surgery after last season, so he missed all the development in the spring and to kind of space out that group of tight ends who are all in that class together, when he played a year ago," Bielema said. "I sat him down about two weeks ago and commonly, mutually came to that decision. We put him in a pretty developmental lift phase to get back on track and complete his career obviously.
Devwah Whaley, David Williams and Chase Hayden will be the top three tailbacks with a decision coming soon on whether true freshman Maleek Williams will play or redshirt. Bielema said he is leaning toward playing all four running backs.
“I think we'll make a decision next week, Tuesday or Wednesday," Bielema said. "He's been able to get reps. We've been trying to limit David and Devwah.
“Usually you have five or six running backs on scholarship and we just didn't have that number so we were very cautious during camp to not (overuse) our running backs, to not over-rep them for this season we've got in front of us.
“Maleek's looked really good. Unfortunately he lost his grandpa, so we're going to have to send him all the way back to Jamaica here in about 10 days. So that's kind of factoring into it as well. Obviously that will be right in the middle of a preparation week as well.”
Sophomore T.J. Hammonds has worked at both wide receiver and tailback, which could factor into whether Maleek Williams redshirts.
Hammonds and receiver Jared Cornelius have both missed practice time due to injury, but are both being worked into the game plan for Florida A&M. A final decision on their availability will be made Tuesday.
As many as eight receivers could play in the first game with true freshman Koilan Jackson and De’Vion Warren joining junior college transfer Jonathan Nance on the two-deep. Prized junior college wide receiver signee Brandon Martin has been slowed by injuries and was not listed on the depth chart.
“He missed maybe a week and a half right before we started up FAMU preparation,” Bielema said. “…I do think as he gets healthier and stays engaged, you know he's a three years of eligibility player, so he doesn't have a redshirt year. But he has three years here in our program that we can utilize him.”
The offensive line will feature a starting five of center Frank Ragnow, guards Hjalte Froholdt and Johnny Gibson, and tackles Brian Wallace and Colton Jackson.
The second line features center Zach Rogers, tackles Paul Ramirez and Jalen Merrick, and guards Jake Raulerson and true freshman Ty Clary.
Arkansas will start McTelvin Agim and T.J. Smith at defensive ends with a three-man rotation of Bijhon Jackson, Austin Capps and Dylan Hays working at nose guard.
“We are excited about the addition of Dylan Hays and what he has brought to the group,” Rhoads said. “Defensively in the 3-4, it starts from the ball out with that nose guard position and I said one of the reasons why we switched is because you are defending offenses from the outside in with all the spread.
“If you can’t control that center and do the things that nose guards have to do and do it with fresh bodies, then you are in for potentially a long day. All three of the guys are giving us what we need out of that position.”
Rhoads plans to start Henre’ Toliver and Ryan Pulley at the corners, with Santos Ramirez at strong safety and Josh Liddell at the free safety ahead of De'Andre Coley.
The Razorback staff plans to play redshirt sophomore Britto Tutt and true freshmen Kamron Curl and Chevin Calloway at corner.
“They have earned their spots on the depth chart," Rhoads said. "It was a process to get there. We tested the whole group and got to the first scrimmage and then we had a little bit better idea.
“We got to the second scrimmage and felt real solid where we were at with those guys. All of them can play both sides, but the three that we have got an eye for getting on the field."
Prize freshman safety signee Montaric “Buster” Brown, who just started practicing this week, won’t play in the opener but could provide depth soon along to join Kevin Richardson and Reid Miller.
“Today is actually the first day he can go in full pads,” Bielema said of Brown. “He's been a little bit limited there from a physical standpoint. But I would say right now he's not in the mix for this first game.”
Offense
Quarterback
Austin Allen
Cole Kelley OR Ty Storey
Running Back
Devwah Whaley OR David Williams
Chase Hayden OR Maleek Williams
Fullback
Kendrick Jackson
Hayden Johnson
Wide Receiver
Deon Stewart OR Jordan Jones
De'Vion Warren OR Koilan Jackson
Wide Receiver
Jared Cornelius OR La'Michael Pettway
T.J. Hammonds OR Jonathan Nance
Tight End 1
Austin Cantrell
Jeremy Patton
Tight End 2
Cheyenne O'Grady
Jack Kraus OR Will Gragg
Left Tackle
Colton Jackson
Paul Ramirez
Left Guard
Hjalte Froholdt
Jake Raulerson
Center
Frank Ragnow
Zach Rogers
Right Guard
Johnny Gibson
Ty Clary
Right Tackle
Brian Wallace
Jalen Merrick
Defense
Defensive End
McTelvin Agim
Jonathan Marshall OR Armon Watts
Nose Tackle
Bijhon Jackson
Austin Capps OR Dylan Hays
Defensive End
T.J. Smith
Jake Hall OR Briston Guidry
Razor Linebacker
Randy Ramsey
Hayden Henry
Mike Linebacker
De'Jon Harris
Grant Morgan
Will Linebacker
Dre Greenlaw
Dee Walker
Hog Linebacker
Dwayne Eugene
Karl Roesler
Cornerback
Ryan Pulley
Kamren Curl
Strong Safety
Santos Ramirez
Josh Liddell OR Reid Miller
Free Safety
Josh Liddell
De'Andre Coley OR Kevin Richardson
Cornerback
Henre Toliver
Britto Tutt OR Chevin Calloway
Special Teams
Place Kicker
Cole Hedlund
Blake Mazza
Punter
Blake Johnson
Cole Kelley
Kickoffs
Connor Limpert
Blake Mazza
Long Snapper
Robert Decker
Jordan Silver
Kickoff Return
Deon Stewart
Jonathan Nance
Punt Return
Henre Toliver
Jared Cornelius