Hogs place DB Blair on scholarship

Arkansas defensive back Simeon Blair (15) intercepts a pass intended for receiver Treylon Burks (16) during a scrimmage Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas defensive back Simeon Blair has been placed on scholarship, Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman said Friday.

Blair, a redshirt sophomore, is the second former walk-on to earn a scholarship this preseason. Pittman on Friday confirmed an Aug. 12 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette report that redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Luke Jones had also been put on scholarship.

Blair, who is from Pine Bluff, played 184 snaps in 11 games last season, mostly on special teams. Blair had one of the Razorbacks' top highlights in a scrimmage Sept. 4 when he intercepted quarterback Feleipe Franks in the end zone.

Jones, who played high school football at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock and transferred to Arkansas from Notre Dame last year, has been in a position battle at center and left guard this preseason.

Pittman announced their scholarships on the same day the SEC released covid-19 protocols that allow a team to opt out of playing a game if it does not have at least 53 scholarship athletes available at the time of kickoff.