FAYETTEVILLE — Four questions for five writers breaking down Arkansas’ wide receivers entering the 2021 season.
What is your prediction for Treylon Burks’ stat line (catches, yards, touchdowns)?
Tom Murphy: Burks is going to draw a lot of attention, which means the best corners and nickels in all the country, so it’s imperative for other threats to emerge for the junior to re-create his 2020 breakout numbers. I’m going to say 56 catches for 915 yards and 7 TDs.
Scottie Bordelon: I can see Burks having a season that is similar to his 2020 statistically, but it will feel more impressive given he’s hands down Arkansas’ No. 1 option on the perimeter. Since the schedule is back to 12 games, I’ll give him 55 catches for 925 yards and 9 touchdowns. But I won’t be surprised in the least if he shatters the 1,000-yard mark. He’s so dangerous and elusive after the catch — 394 yards in 2020, according to SECStatCat.
Seth Campbell: Burks is going to be at the top of every team’s scouting report, but with that being said, that shouldn’t be anything new. I think he goes just above his 51 catches, 820 receiving yards and seven touchdowns that he registered last year. I’ll say he gets 60 catches, hovers right around the 1,000 receiving yard mark and stays at seven touchdowns.
Matt Jones: I look for better stats in receptions (51), yards (820) and touchdowns (7) than a year ago when he only played nine games, but maybe a lower yards-per-reception (16.1) stat. Burks got loose for a lot of big gains a year ago that may be harder to come by with more defensive schemes designed to slow him. His success this year will probably hinge in large part on whether Arkansas develops other receivers who can draw coverage away from him, similar to the way Mike Woods did a year ago.
Bob Holt: I'll say 62 catches for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns.
What do you believe is in store for Trey Knox this season? Does he get back on track and produce?
Tom Murphy: I think Knox makes an improvement from his lackluster sophomore numbers. It all starts with savvy: The techniques he uses to slap hands, use quick feet and precise route-running to create separation when he’s conceding a tenth or so on his 40 times to most corners. He got open enough as a true freshman to have some deep-ball plays, so he can do it again.
Scottie Bordelon: The Razorbacks need him to be solid week in and week out. Knox has shown that he can make plays in the SEC. I think the first couple of nonconference games are big for him. Can he find an in-game rhythm early and let those performances propel him when it really matters? I believe Knox will be more focused this fall. With so much of the attention on Treylon Burks, you have to think playmaking opportunities will be there for a guy like Knox.
Seth Campbell: Last year was definitely a disappointment for Trey Knox. He didn’t possess the speed to get away from defenders like Burks and De’Vion Warren did. That being said, he’s proven that he can be a valuable receiver in the SEC. I think Knox’s year will depend on how many receivers develop for Arkansas. He can be a valuable possession receiver, but if other guys have more play making ability then his opportunities could be limited.
Matt Jones: It doesn't feel like much of a reach to say he'll be better than 2020 (7 catches, 70 yards). He has spoken candidly about confidence issues that held him back last year, which he said were related to illness and an abnormal practice routine.
Bob Holt: I think Knox will have a bounce-back season. Instead of entering the transfer portal like a lot of players do now when they don't have the season they expected, Knox stayed at Arkansas. That tells me he's committed to improving and making an impact. And with Mike Woods gone, there should be more opportunities for Knox.
Which of the young guys (Ketron Jackson, Bryce Stephens, Jaedon Wilson, Darin Turner) has the best chance to get in the WR rotation and stick?
Tom Murphy: I don’t feel we saw enough of this set of wideouts (minus Stephens of course) to make a great guess, so I’ll just go with the hype and say Jackson will fill this bill. You could still detect a slight hitch in his sprinting during the spring, so hopefully a few more months will go a long way to eliminating that. Certainly he has the hands and skills to make an impact.
Scottie Bordelon: I’m kind of with Tom. Didn’t get to see a whole lot of these guys in action in the spring. But I do think Ketron Jackson can be a special player. If he grows more and more comfortable on his knee — wore a knee brace in spring drills — then he can produce. I’m also intrigued by Jaedon Wilson. He’s a deep-ball threat, and Arkansas will be looking to replace what Mike Woods brought in that regard last season.
Seth Campbell: I like Darin Turner out of the young guys. Turner was a 4-star receiver coming out of high school and was rated No. 114 in ESPN’s Top 300. The knock on him coming out of high school was that he needed to add size, and get better at running routes. Well, he’s had time to do both after redshirting last year. At 6-3, 205 pounds, he has the potential to be a problem for cornerbacks.
Matt Jones: Based on their usage in the spring, Jaedon Wilson and Ketron Jackson seem to have the best chance to get on the field early.
Bob Holt: I'll go with Ketron Jackson based on his recruiting rankings. But now, of course, he has to prove it on the field.
Who is capable of having a De’Vion Warren pre-injury-type season in 2021?
Tom Murphy: Can we say Warren again? Hopefully he’s close to top form by the time September rolls around following his knee surgery. Don’t sleep on Tyson Morris or John David White, who can also play the slot and have shown flashes. Jaquayln Crawford probably has better speed, but we haven’t seen him on game day. Warren’s game at Auburn deserved to be rewarded with a W.
Scottie Bordelon: I’ll give John David White a nod. He had a good spring. Watching practices, he’s got some real wiggle about him, and he’s always going to be full throttle. At the tail end of the spring, Sam Pittman said he believes there is a place for White in the Razorbacks’ rotation at receiver. Does that hold up? We’ll see. I'm not counting him out.
Seth Campbell: Warren was the speed receiver the Razorbacks needed to pair with a guy like Burks last year. His emergence was a key to Arkansas winning three games, so it’s a lot of pressure to expect another receiver to just jump into a Warren-like role. With that being said, I’ll pick Jaquayln Crawford as a guy that could have a breakout year.
The Oklahoma transfer did not play last year and has only seen the field in one game in his college career. He was rated a 4-star recruit coming out of high school, and his 5-10, 175 pound frame is similar to Warren's.
Matt Jones: John David White always seems to stand out during scrimmages. It reminds me some of Drew Morgan — a great practice player who took a while to impact a game. Whether that is this year or a future season, I think White is going to become a solid receiver.
Bob Holt: Can I say De'Vion Warren? He had a breakout season in 2020, but now coming back from a knee injury, he has a lot to prove. If you're looking for a less-experienced player, I'd go with John David White.