FAYETTEVILLE — Standing between Arkansas and its first win in Southeastern Conference play in more than two calendar years is a quarterback who spurned the Razorbacks in 2018.
Kelly Bryant, the heralded former Clemson quarterback who led the program to a 2017 College Football Playoff berth, opted to transfer to Missouri over Arkansas and other programs last December.
He will likely face the Razorbacks for the first and only time Friday in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium in hopes of snapping the Tigers' five-game losing streak and sending Arkansas into the offseason with its second consecutive 10-loss season.
Bryant's health, however, is in question for the game as he deals with hamstring and knee injuries suffered in recent weeks. Bryant told reporters Monday he was hit in the knee in the Tigers' loss to Florida on Nov. 16, and offensive coordinator Derek Dooley added the quarterback has had fluid drained from the knee prior to games.
"He hasn't been 100 percent since the second drive at Kentucky (on Oct. 26)," Dooley said, according to Souichi Terada of the Kansas City Star. "That's not an excuse."
Bryant did not play in Missouri's 27-0 loss at Georgia to begin the November schedule, but returned for games against Florida and Tennessee - 23-6 and 24-20 home losses.
He completed 41 of 67 passes for 370 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the games and has thrown for 2,215 yards and 15 touchdowns against six interceptions this season.
Arkansas interim coach Barry Lunney Jr., previewing the Razorbacks' season finale, said he has not had a chance to study Bryant as much as he did LSU quarterback Joe Burrow last week, but noted Bryant has "done some good things" for the Tigers offensively this fall.
"There’s no doubt about that," he added. "I’ve seen them in spots here or there, but he’s obviously a very dangerous quarterback. He can beat you with his arms and he can beat you with his legs. So anytime a quarterback can do that it creates a challenge. He’s a playmaker. There’s no doubt about that.
"He’s a playmaker and he’s got a good cast around him, so it’ll be a great challenge for us."
Lunney also briefly revisited Arkansas' recruitment of Bryant last year. He did not get to know Bryant all that well, he said, adding that he was more of a bystander in that situation, observing from a distance how the staff interacted with him.
"I think the drawing point there was obviously (former Arkansas coach Chad Morris') relationship with him previously, and his experiences as the incumbent starter at Clemson made him very attractive to a lot of programs," Lunney said. "But obviously I think the relationship there gave us a leg up, as far as being in his final two or three or however it was.
"He came on his official visit during a game weekend and then had one opportunity as a staff, we went to see him back home where he was at. We got to know him for a few hours during that time. So, you know, he ended up picking the spot he felt was best for him, and here we go. We’re going to play against him on Friday."
If injuries force Bryant out of the lineup, former Fayetteville High star Taylor Powell, who led the Purple'Dogs to back-to-back state championships in 2015 and 2016, would assume the starting role, according to Missouri's updated depth chart. Powell earned his first career start at Georgia, connecting on 10 of 22 passes for 84 yards and an interception.
In five games this season, Powell has thrown for 192 yards.
Powell is one of three former Fayetteville stars on the Missouri roster, along with receiver Barrett Banister (21 catches, 186 yards, TD) and defensive lineman Akial Byers (16 tackles). Lunney is familiar with all three players and said it was unfortunate the trio did not land at Arkansas.
“They’ve all made significant contributions there at Missouri," he stated. "Obviously, I think that’s a little bit unique, a little bit strange. They grew up under the nose here of our program, obviously have some pretty strong connections to our program. I think they made the best of the opportunity that’s laid out before them and taken advantage of their experience there and have done some good things.
"All three, good kids. I got to know their families and obviously always rooting for them, except for this game."