OFFENSE
Quarterback
As Coach Sam Pittman said in the spring, the Razorbacks brought Feleipe Franks in for a reason and that’s to win the starting job. Nothing has happened in camp to change that course with Franks almost a full year out from ankle surgery. Midway through camp he estimated his completion percentage at near 70%, which of course would be spectacular. Franks was very good as the Florida starter during a 10-3 season in 2018 in which the Gators finished No. 7. His stats from ’18: 188 of 322 (58.4%), for 2,457 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs. The Razorbacks would drool over a 4-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. He also ran for 350 yards and tied for the team high with 7 rushing TDs. KJ Jefferson made a splash in his debut. His passing accuracy needs to improve, but he’s a solid second-team option with John Stephen Jones, Jack Lindsey and freshman Malik Hornsby the reserves.
Running back
Senior Rakeem Boyd’s decision to return was the single-most important personnel “addition” to the 2020 roster. A legitimate speedster who combines good vision with power and lateral agility, Boyd should be one of the nation’s top backs after rushing for 1,133 yards, 8 TDs and averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He was fifth on the team with 19 catches for 160 yards last year. NFL teams want to see more pass blocking. Trelon Smith, a shifty 5-9, 185-pounder, appears to be just ahead of redshirt freshman A’Montae Spivey heading into the season, with Dominique Johnson and Josh Oglesby also in the mix.
Wide receiver
If pass blocking is improved and Franks is who the Razorbacks think, look for a solid statistical bump from the big three of Mike Woods (33 catches, 423 yards, 4 TD), Treylon Burks (29-475) and Trey Knox (28-385, 3), who played with an ailing hip his last 8 games of 2019. Fighting off press coverage and getting separation has been a huge emphasis in camp. Veterans De’Vion Warren (4-19) and T.J. Hammonds (4-10), who split time at tailback and receiver last year, should get solid playing time. Tyson Morris (13-155, 1) was slowed by a hand injury early in camp but has come back strong. Koilan Jackson (3-38, 1) is a veteran presence whose numbers should rise. Darin Turner, a 6-3 speedster, is the next up-and-comer as the only true freshman scholarship player. Feisty Karch Gardiner has made some great catches in camp.
Tight end
This position was up for grabs after both major scrimmages. Clearly Hudson Henry is a top-notch pass catcher in the mold of his older brother Hunter, the 2015 Mackey Award winner. However, this staff will require the tight end spot to be as much of a blocker as a receiver, so Henry’s physicality has to improve. Big Blake Kern (6-4, 269) has the tools to be an extension of the offensive line. Blayne Toll might’ve finally settled here after bouncing back and forth from defensive end twice. At 6-5, 234 pounds, he looks like how tight ends are drawn up. Redshirt freshman Nathan Bax has done some good things in camp. Also in the mix is true freshman Collin Sutherland, another prototype at 6-5, 251, and possibly O-line signee Marcus Henderson.
Line
How can this unit not be better this fall? They have offensive line whisperers in position coach Brad Davis and head Coach Sam Pittman, and bring back four starters who helped pave the way for an 1,100-yard rusher. Myron Cunningham, now listed at 6-7, 325, is the anchor man at left tackle, but he might be the only returning starter holding down a starting job in the opener. Right tackle Dalton Wagner is in a great camp battle with Noah Gatlin, who is coming off knee surgery. Two-year starting center Ty Clary is more in the guard mix along with Luke Jones and Shane Clenin on the left side. Ricky Stromberg, up to 311 pounds after playing much lighter as a starting right guard, is now snapping and he has the chance to be a three-year mainstay at center. Beaux Limmer, who challenges Jonathan Marshall for “strongest man on the team” honors, appears to have won the right guard slot. Other top reserves could be Ryan Winkel and true freshman Marcus Henderson.
DEFENSE
Line
What Sam Pittman was concerned during the winter could be a thin spot has a chance to emerge as a solid position group. The starting ends look to be Dorian Gerald, back from a rare neck injury, and Julius Coates, who probably generated more praise in camp than any newcomer outside of Franks. The 6-6, 289-pound Coates, a former tight end, has been tough to block. Mataio Soli, Eric Gregory and Zach Williams, all true freshmen last year, can be quality reserves with signee Jashaud Stewart showing early promise. Jonathan Marshall, the strongest Hog, should be in line for a starting tackle job along with Clemson transfer Xavier Kelly. Isaiah Nichols, Marcus Miller, Taurean Carter and others look to provide interior depth.
Linebacker
The Razorbacks have a chance to be stout here with veterans coming back in seniors Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry, and junior Bumper Pool. This unit has to start making more impact plays at and behind the line of scrimmage. Deon Edwards, Levi Draper and younger players such as Andrew Parker and J.T. Towers got quality looks in training camp. Zach Zimos and Kevin Burrle are young guys with good upside. Sam Pittman said on his first weekly radio appearance this spot needed to settle in soon, and he’s not convinced a “by committee” approach will work.The numbers are up at linebacker in quantity, and coordinator Barry Odom and position coach Rion Rhoades need them to be up in quality.
Secondary
It has truly been a tough few years for the Arkansas defensive backfield, which has been down in numbers and had to play its starters too many snaps for several years running. Perhaps there can be a real rotation this season with coordinator and safeties coach Odom and corners coach Sam Carter cross training almost everybody. Montaric Brown, a defensive leader, and Jerry Jacobs appeared to win starting cornerback spots in camp, with two-year starter Jarques McClellion also taking reps at nickel back, where the production needs to go up, beginning with returning starter Greg Brooks Jr. LaDarrius Bishop, Malik Chavis and Devin Bush should factor in at the coverage spots. Joe Foucha leads a group of willing hitters at safety that includes Myles Mason, Jalen Catalon, Myles Slusher and Simeon Blair. Those guys are cross training all over the backfield. Freshmen Khari Johnson, Nick Turner and Jacorrei Turner look like keepers. The coaches think this unit has a chance to make a move and possibly be sneaky good.
Special teams
Here’s a good bet: Either punt returner Treylon Burks or kick returner De’Vion Warren will take one to the house in 2020. Warren has done it before — a 100-yarder as a freshman in 2017 vs. Auburn — and Burks seemed on the brink several times last year. Burks is trying to break his hands-only catching style, which seemed to work in his past. It would be hard to improve at kicker, where Connor Limpert finished up his career in 2019 as the most accurate FG guy in school history, but the combo of Duke transfer A.J. Reed and sophomore Matthew Phillips both made 52-yarders in scrimmage 2 and went 4 for 5. Punters Sam Loy and Reid Bauer are both back, but Michigan transfer George Caratan has a chance to come away with the starting role. Jordan Silver, a long snapper who has kept his name out of the media by being on target, has put on some good mass.