FAYETTEVILLE -- Quarterback Austin Allen said he had tons of fun running the first-team huddle after the Arkansas football team wrapped up the first of its 15 spring practices on a sunny, wind-swept Tuesday afternoon.
"It was all Day 1 install and everyone knew what they were doing, so it was good," Allen said.
The highlight of the day, Allen said, was the Razorbacks' new-look offensive line and the deep receiving corps.
"The way they communicated with all the new calls and everything," Allen said. "The way the wideouts got in and out of the breaks."
A redshirt junior, Allen has moved into the first huddle based on his experience in the system, Coach Bret Bielema said. Rafe Peavey, Ty Storey and Ricky Town will all be pushing this spring to move up the depth chart in the quarterback derby to replace Brandon Allen.
"It was a lot of fun, just trying to lead after Brandon, follow what he did, see how he handled the huddle and all that," said Austin Allen, who is the younger brother of the three-year starter. "I'm just trying to take it a step further."
Said receiver Keon Hatcher, "Austin looked good today. Working with him during the offseason, he's throwing the ball pretty well."
No fried chicken
Sixth-year running back Kody Walker, who built up to 265 pounds last year as a combination blocker and runner, is heading the other direction with his weight now in an effort to win the starting tailback job.
Walker said he weighs about 245 pounds right now and trying to dip below 240 before the start of the season.
"I definitely feel different and it feels great," Walker said. "My goal is 235."
Walker said the key to his weight drop has been eating right.
"I love fried chicken and I haven't been eating any fried chicken," he said. "I've been eating baked chicken and a lot of vegetables. ... I was a late night kind of guy, and I definitely changed a lot in my diet."
Ledbetter no Dane
Hjalte Froholdt, a sophomore from Svendborg, Denmark, is working at first-team left guard after playing on the defensive line last season.
It wasn't the first time he's played on the offensive line.
"I played a little bit back in Denmark, but that's a little bit different than SEC play," Froholdt said. "For sure, it's a transition period to go from blocking some Danish defensive lineman to going against Jeremiah Ledbetter, who is just an amazing defensive player."
More Keon
Coach Bret Bielema said he expects senior receiver Keon Hatcher to be a leader for more than just his position group or the offense in 2016.
Hatcher's original senior season was off to a roaring start when he had 13 catches for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns through two games last year. But then he suffered a broken foot late in the game in Arkansas' 16-12 loss against Toledo on Sept. 12.
"He looks great," Bielema said. "I think there's no doubt in his mind he's a leader. He's established that on the offensive side of the ball. I've challenged him to have an effect on the entire team. Let's have you have an effect on our defensive side, our offensive side and our special teams."
Hatcher, one of the leaders last season, said he's ready to hold those reins again.
"I've been around a while you know," Hatcher said. "I'm just taking that leader role and showing the younger guys the ropes and making sure everybody's on the same page with what we're trying to do."
Nothing like turf
Center Frank Ragnow said he couldn't wait to get on the field for the first practice.
"I'm a weight room guy and I love to work out and all that stuff, but nothing is the same as the turf," Ragnow said. "Being out there on the field and talking trash with Deatrich Wise, there's nothing better than that."
Jersey check
The most prominent jersey number change among many for the Razorbacks is senior receiver Dominque Reed moving to No. 3, formerly worn by Alex Collins, after Reed wore No. 87 last year.
Other changes: Hjalte Froholdt now in No. 51 (was 91), Ryan Pulley in No. 1 (10), Willie Sykes in No. 15 (7), Jack Kraus in 87 (36), Denzel Evans in 34 (25), Damani Carter in 46 (37), C.J. O'Grady in 85 (15), T.J. Smith in 52 (54), Matt Dodson in 26 (25), Troy Allison in 20 (16).
Defensive end McTelvin Agim will start his career in No. 3 and offensive lineman Deion Malone will don No. 73.
By Josh
Bret Bielema has said the road back to the playing field will be a long one for linebacker Josh Williams, who is recovering from a broken leg and subsequent complications that led to some loss of muscle in his calf, but Bielema has been impressed at how hard Williams is pushing.
"Josh Williams has come a long way in a short fashion," Bielema said. "He's a guy we didn't even know would play here again. He's going to go through all the individual work. He just can't do anything from the line of scrimmage in a competitive nature yet."
Out for spring
Defensive lineman Josh Allen and cornerback Cornelius Floyd will be out this spring as they attempt to get their academics back in order.
Bret Bielema said Allen, who played on the offensive line last year, has been removed from the program indefinitely after "another miscue before spring break."
Floyd was taken off the rolls by university standards for the semester, Bielema said.
"It looks like we'll maybe get him back possibly May or June," Bielema said. "If he continues to uphold his end of the bargain, we'll bring him back in and be with us for the summer and hopefully into the fall."
Sports on 03/30/2016