RAZORBACKS FOOTBALL REPORT: Beanum not part of roster

FAYETTEVILLE -- Defensive end Tevin Beanum, a projected starter coming out of spring, is not on Arkansas' 105-man roster for the start of training camp as he deals with personal issues.

"Nothing negative, and I mean that in the most sincere way," Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said when asked about Beanum. "Tevin has got a situation that he just needs to get control of. It's something that's a very unique and individual thing with him. If he ever wants to share it, he will. There's just a million things going on right now."

Bielema said the issues are partly related to what kept him out for most of spring drills. Beanum will wrap up his summer classes today, Bielema said, then go through a week-long program to help with his problem.

Beanum's absence leaves junior Karl Roesler, freshman McTelvin Agim and newly moved sophomore Randy Ramsey at that end position. Bielema said Deatrich Wise and Jeremiah Ledbetter, projected starters at other spots on the line, and Brandon Lewis, who has been battling injuries the last couple of years, could also play the spot.

Bielema said Beanum probably would be added to the roster if a defensive lineman suffers an injury in camp, and if he has to come in after classes start Aug. 22, things would work out.

"He's played enough football ... so a guy like Tevin Beanum, it's not the end of the world. He could come in and get himself shined and polished before that first game, if that's what happens," Bielema said.

Cuts from 105

Scholarship players who were not included on the Razorbacks' 105-man roster are defensive end Tevin Beanum, running back Juan Day, defensive linemen Ke'Tyrus Marks and Michael Taylor, and linebacker Giovanni LaFrance.

LaFrance had a wrap or soft cast on his right hand while walking through the Walker Pavilion at practice time.

"Sorry that [LaFrance] can't be out there with us today due to a hand injury. He's had a great summer and will be back soon!" Bret Bielema posted on his Twitter account.

Bielema said Day was probably next in line, adding "if there was a 105-A he'd probably be in it. His effort's been great, hit attitude and his energy. It was one of those really tough decisions."

Bielema said the coaching staff decided to have five running backs and two fullbacks on the early roster.

Taylor has not made it to campus yet.

Front 10

The first-team offensive line during the open portion of Thursday's practice was right tackle Dan Skipper, right guard Zach Rogers, center Frank Ragnow, left guard Hjalte Froholdt and left tackle Colton Jackson.

The second-team unit was right tackle Jalen Merrick, right guard Brian Wallace, center Jake Raulerson, left guard Deion Malone and left tackle Paul Ramirez.

Quarterback's backs

Backup quarterbacks Rafe Peavey and Cole Kelley both suffered minor back injuries during the summer. Both quarterbacks were cleared to participate in Thursday's first practice, Bret Bielema said.

Peavey had minor surgery July 13, while Kelley suffered a strain during a recent weightlifting session.

Bielema said Peavey might not go through the entire practice, depending on how he felt.

Headed out

Bret Bielema said Derrick Graham has joined the list of players expected to transfer since the end of last season. Graham, a 6-4, 240-pounder from Gainesville, Fla., was recruited as a linebacker and worked at linebacker and defensive end while redshirting in 2015.

Bielema said defensive lineman Ke'Tyrus Marks is one class short of graduating and is considering a transfer as well. Marks is not on the 105-man camp roster for the second consecutive year.

Graham joined a pool of previously reported transfers: running back Denzell Evans, receiver Eric Hawkins and defensive back Willie Sykes.

Eyes on prize

All of the defensive backs had wide, white stripes running down the center of their helmets. The stripes are used to show where the players are looking when coaches study the practice film.

Going twice

The Razorbacks will have five opportunities to have two practices in a day, starting Wednesday, and Bret Bielema said they would take advantage of those. Last season, Bielema scaled back some of the practices on two-a-day opportunities to reduce the camp grind.

"We will practice in the morning and the evenings, and the single days we'll practice in the afternoon," Bielema said. "I've got two full scrimmages scheduled on the two Saturdays that we can. I'll probably add in there a couple of perimeter scrimmages, just to get some tackling at the corners and wideouts ... getting them used to wrapping up and rolling and doing different things."

Tackle the runner

Bret Bielema did not hesitate when asked whether the team's running backs would be engaged in live tackling during camp.

"Hit 'em, tackle 'em," Bielema said. "There won't be any limitations ... other than we won't go low. We won't cut tackle our own guys. We just never do that. We'll hit them and see where it goes. Obviously when they haven't been hit in so long, that's a big concern."

Kody Walker suffered a broken foot and missed part of spring, while Rawleigh Williams has not been involved in live tackling since undergoing surgery for a broken disc in his neck Oct. 24.

Coordinated

Arkansas will have both coordinators returning for the first time under Bret Bielema, with defensive coordinator Robb Smith entering his third season and offensive coordinator Dan Enos beginning his second in Fayetteville.

"I saw a stat the other day that I think we are one of only four teams to have both the offensive and defensive coordinators returning in the SEC, so we're excited about that," Bielema said.

Hogs out of poll

Arkansas did not make the top 25 in the USA Today Coaches poll released Thursday, the first major preseason poll.

The Razorbacks received 34 points to tie with Texas for the seventh spot among teams receiving votes. Defending College Football Playoff champion Alabama is the coaches' choice for preseason No. 1 with 55 of the 64 first-place votes. Clemson received seven first-place votes, while Florida State and Tennessee got one vote each.

Other SEC teams in the poll were No. 10 Tennessee, No. 12 Ole Miss, No. 16 Georgia and No. 25 Florida. Texas A&M was sixth among teams receiving votes.

TCU, the Hogs' road opponent in Week 2, is No. 14.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema is one of seven SEC coaches on the panel this season, joining Auburn's Gus Malzahn, Vanderbilt's Derek Mason, Mississippi State's Dan Mullen, Alabama's Nick Saban, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin.

Extra points

• The second session of summer concludes today, and about 80 percent of the team is still taking courses, Bret Bielema said.

• Arkansas will be in half pads Saturday and Monday; Tuesday will be the Hogs' first day in full pads; and Wednesday will mark the first of five two-a-day opportunities.

Sports on 08/05/2016