FAYETTEVILLE — Four questions for four writers previewing Arkansas' offensive line for the 2017 season.
How much better, if at all, will the line be in 2017?
Clay Henry: The offensive line was almost as poor as it could be last year in perhaps all of Bret Bielema's years as head coach. It had to do with both youth and inexperience. It didn't help that all were learning different techniques from a new coach and often at new spots. I believe this line will be significantly better in both the run game and protections. That will lead to a better Austin Allen and a fun season.
Tom Murphy: There's certainly no assurance the offensive front will be better without a senior like Dan Skipper replaced by an athletic sophomore in Colton Jackson. However, if C Frank Ragnow makes the strides the coaching staff feels he will and the other projected starters improve marginally over their 2016 performances, then the Razorbacks project to be stronger up front overall. I'm predicting the Hogs will rush 171 yards per game, an improvement of roughly 5 percent from last year's 164.2 yards per game. I think sacks will drop from 35 to 27. The passing average of 264.2 yards per game -- exactly 100 more per game than the rushing figure -- will remain static, if not drop by a small percentage IMO.
Bob Holt: I think the offensive line will take a significant step forward in 2017. There are six players back with starting experience and senior center Frank Ragnow is probably as good as any linemen in the country and the unquestioned leader of the group. I think Hjalte Froholdt, after moving from defensive tackle to guard last season and playing on offense for the first time, will make a quantum leap with a full season of starting experience and two spring practices at his new position.
Jimmy Carter: This, to me, is the biggest question mark on the team. It better be a lot better. Last year, most of the line was comprised of young, first-time starters. Those same guys now have experience and another year to develop physically, so you’d expect them to be much improved. This fall should tell us who is an SEC-caliber lineman and who isn’t.
True or false: Barring injury, Colton Jackson (LT), Hjalte Froholdt (LG), Frank Ragnow (C), Johnny Gibson (RG) and Brian Wallace (RT) start every game.
Henry: I think these are the starters. I believe Shane Clenin or Dalton Wagner could earn time but may not start.
Murphy: I'm going to say no to that. I think there are guys pushing close enough to starting jobs -- Jake Raulerson, Paul Ramirez, Deion Malone, Zach Rogers and the signees -- that there will be some experimentation with the starting lineup.
Holt: It's tempting to say yes, because those five look to be the top linemen, but I'm going to say false. I think Arkansas has the numbers on the line now to create some pretty good competition and coach Kurt Anderson has been known to try a lot of different combinations in practice to give everyone a good evaluation.
Maybe a starter has some bad practices and a lineup change is made or maybe someone among the backups shows a lot of improvement and deserves a shot to start. I just have a feeling there will be a change or two during the course of the season. If it happens, it might only be for one game here or there, with the player losing his No. 1 spot regaining it quickly.
Carter: True. Ragnow may be the best center in the nation. He’s a lock. Froholdt and Wallace seem pretty entrenched, too. Gibson was in the dog house at the start of spring practice, but got out of it and is physically imposing. Jackson is the one I’d maybe have questions about, but the coaches seemed pleased with him in the spring.
Outside of the top five, who are the most likely candidates to potentially crack the rotation and play?
Henry: Jake Raulerson, Jalen Merrick and Zach Rogers will also earn time.
Murphy: As written above, part-time starter Raulerson from last year, Malone, Ramirez, Rogers, maybe Shane Clenin or Dalton Wagner.
Holt: Jalen Merrick was a highly-touted signee and has a lot of talent, so maybe he can put it all together in fall camp. He showed signs of progress in the spring. Jake Raulerson is versatile enough to play every line position and I think could be plugged in anywhere as a starter as needed, though he's probably most valuable as a backup. Deion Malone, a juco transfer, redshirted last year and may be ready to compete for a starting job after a full year in the program.
Carter: Paul Ramirez might be the next guy up at both tackle spots. Jake Raulerson is probably the next guy up at either guard spot. We’ll see if health and another year in the weight room helps him. Zach Rogers’ versatility to play center or guard puts him in the mix. Maybe Jalen Merrick positions himself to be in the picture.
Which of these young players who started last year do you think has the highest ceiling: Jackson, Froholdt, Gibson or Wallace?
Henry: Hjalte Froholdt can be a great player. He is a potential All-American. I am fascinated by his raw ability.
Murphy: Based on the comments from the coaches, I believe Wallace is the best at dominating when he gets engaged with a defender and Jackson is the most athletic all-around. When he gets it down, Jackson projects as being very solid. Froholdt is powerful and tenacious but not as nimble as the others. Gibson's rise from walk on to starter has been remarkable and he has the capability of being a solid SEC starting guard. Highest ceiling? Wallace
Holt: That's a tough one because I think all of those guys have a lot of potential for improvement.
I'm going to say Colton Jackson because he lost his starting job early last season, but now looks to be the guy at left tackle, such a key position. I think Jackson has a combination of talent, some playing experience and a lot of hunger needed to excel and he has three seasons left to play to make continual improvement to reach that high ceiling.
Carter: I’d probably Wallace and then maybe Froholdt. I think Wallace has a chance to be pretty good. Froholdt got a lot of flack, most of it deserved, last year, but should be much improved in year two on the offensive line.