FAYETTEVILLE — Rightfully so, Arkansas is confident in its top three options at receiver entering 2020.
Sophomores Treylon Burks and Trey Knox, and junior Mike Woods are all SEC-caliber weapons, expected to lead the Razorbacks’ new offense on the perimeter and be reliable targets for projected starting quarterback Feleipe Franks. But as talented as they may be, they will likely be unable to carry the passing game all on their own.
Depth at receiver is vital for Arkansas. After the Razorbacks’ second scrimmage of the preseason, which was held inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Friday, head coach Sam Pittman said he has been able to identify some additional playmakers in that room.
De’Vion Warren and T.J. Hammonds came to mind first.
“Those are the guys behind the first three that I can think of that have made plays,” said Pittman, who noted the defense got the best of the offense in scrimmage No. 2. “We’re a little thin there right now. Some of it’s injury-wise as well, (but) we’re going to get some guys back. We’re just a little thin right now.
“But those two guys are the guys that to me have stuck out.”
While Warren and Hammonds have experience playing in the SEC, production has been spotty. Warren caught just four passes for 19 yards last season, and Hammonds, who has transitioned from running back, added four more catches for 10 yards in 2019.
Warren has one touchdown grab to his name in three seasons. His greatest impact at Arkansas has been on special teams, particularly as a freshman in 2017. And Hammonds has had an up-and-down career on and off the field. The Razorbacks’ new staff returned him to scholarship this summer.
Knox, who finished with three touchdowns as a freshman, said Warren and Hammonds have showcased their speed this preseason.
“They're speedy guys,” Knox added Friday. “Just having that speed on the outside that can just take the top off the whole defense that we can air it out to when we need a big play down the field, just to get somebody to go track the ball and go get it, that brings a lot to the table.”
Tyson Morris, a former standout at Fayetteville High, flashed at times in 2019 — six catches, 86 yards and a score vs. San Jose State and Texas A&M — and was the only Razorbacks receiver to record at least one reception in the team’s first seven games.
He has been battling a hand injury of late, however, and did not take part in Friday’s workout.
Another player who has caught Knox’s eye is Kendall Catalon, a transfer from Southern who sat out last fall. He led the Jaguars with 28 catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns in 2018.
Knox views Catalon as a hard worker, a player who will give great effort and do anything asked of him.
“(He) has been playing his tail off,” Knox added. “He’s a grimy kind of guy. He’ll go in and make crack blocks. And he has great hands, and he knows how to get open. He knows how to work the top of his routes.”
Karch Gardiner brings similar qualities to the position. A one-handed grab early in camp landed the 5-9 redshirt freshman on SportsCenter’s top 10 plays.
“Karch does a lot of great things and has tremendous hands — some of the best hands I’ve ever seen,” Knox said. “You know, (Gardiner and Catalon) are smaller guys, so they can get in and out of cuts with ease.”
Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles said Wednesday he feels good about his slot and outside receivers. Knox does, too, adding the group has great chemistry.
“I think as a room we're pretty deep,” he said. “If somebody needs to come out a play, then somebody goes and gets them and makes a play. We have each other's backs.”