FAYETTEVILLE — Senior Jared Cornelius and sophomore T.J. Hammonds will be game-time decisions for Arkansas’ season opener Thursday against Florida A&M.
Both receivers practiced in green non-contact jerseys Monday and are working their way back from injuries. Cornelius missed fall camp with a back injury, while Hammonds is coming back from a knee injury.
“I bet you it’ll go all the way to game time, ‘till kick off,” receivers coach Michael Smith said. “I know we’re going to put (Cornelius) out there in warmups, see how he feels and if he’s good to go, I’m sure coach (Bret Bielema) will make the call to let him go. … Same thing (with Hammonds). If they’re feeling good, we’re going to let them go.”
Both players are amongst the Razorbacks’ top options at receiver.
Cornelius is easily the most experienced receiver on the roster, having caught 32 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. The remainder of the receivers on the roster have a combined three career catches.
Hammonds shifted from running back to receiver in the spring, but will line up all over the field when healthy. One of the most explosive players on the team, he figures to be a weapon whether in the slot or the backfield.
“T.J.’s taken more because he’s been back longer, but Jared took a lot of reps today and looked OK,” Smith said. “He’s not full speed yet, I don’t believe he is, but he looked OK and made some nice catches out there.”
Without the duo, Arkansas has a group of at least five receivers ready to play, including sophomores Deon Stewart and La’Michael Pettway and redshirt freshman Jordan Jones.
“Those three and Jonathan Nance will be in that mix,” Smith said. “Brandon (Martin’s) had a really good week of practice, so he’s coming along and put himself in a position to get out there.”
Most of those names have made their share of plays in fall camp and been regulars in the rotation, but Martin has had to deal with a back issue. The No. 1 junior college receiver recruit in the 2017 class was limited in camp and fell behind as a result, but may be catching up. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 219 pounds, he may be the most physically imposing receiver on the roster.
“He’s actually focused on what we’re doing in the game plan,” Smith said. “He’s came in and met with me a little bit in overtime, met with Jared some in overtime. He’s just caught the ball well this week. He looks like he’s running a whole lot better. I think his back is finally starting to feel up to par, so really he’s had three good days of practice.”
Smith said the coaching staff hasn’t made a decision whether to redshirt true freshmen Koilan Jackson, D’e’Vion Warren and Jarrod Barnes. Jackson had impressive showings in scrimmages while Warren and Barnes could help in the kick game.
If the Razorbacks don’t have Cornelius or Hammonds on Thursday in Little Rock, it could mean the freshmen get some early PT. Regardless, the young receivers are ready to prove themselves.
“We’re all in this together and we’re young, so we’ve got a lot to prove,” Pettway said.