Walk-on Bax pushing to factor in at tight end

FAYETTEVILLE — As Arkansas begins its second week of preseason practice, there is a great deal of confidence in Hudson Henry's and Blake Kern’s abilities to lead the tight ends.

Behind them, though, depth is something of a mystery given the lack of experience and in-game production. Tight end has also been an active spot to this point in training camp in ways good and bad.

Two players (Levi Draper, Dominique Johnson) have moved to the position, and Draper was since injured last weekend in his first workout there. Koilan Jackson, who has battled knee injuries throughout his career, is back in the mix on a limited basis. Erin Outley, a freshman, is not yet healthy enough to take the field.

Meanwhile, relative unknown walk-on Nathan Bax is pushing for playing time. As of Friday, tight ends coach Dowell Loggains said he would consider the redshirt sophomore the most improved player in his room.

“We should talk about him more often,” Loggains said. “He's got a very professional mindset about him. He knows what to do, he knows the right spots, you can count on him. He just knows what to do and he does it.

“When we grade out, he's very consistent. He's the same player every day.”

A transfer from Illinois State, Bax’s greatest contributions for the Razorbacks have come on special teams, where he played 141 snaps in 2020. He had more tackles last season (4) than offensive snaps (2).

That doesn’t appear to matter to Loggains. He believes he has a player in Bax who is studious, unselfish and itching for a chance to impact winning.

“What's really, really important (is) the tight ends are expected to run routes like receivers and supposed to pass protect like left tackles,” Loggains said. “There's a lot that goes into that position, and if you don't have consistency, it's hard to deal with and hard to improve.

“I think he's a guy who's gotten better. He doesn't care if he's running with the twos, the threes or the ones.”

In addition to changing his number from 46 to a more traditional 89, Bax has changed his body since last season, Henry said Friday. He is now similar in stature to the 6-4, 265-pound Kern.

“He’s gotten so much stronger in his lower body and his upper body,” Henry said. “And he’s focused on the details. He pays attention in meetings, he’s getting extra stuff in after workouts, after practice. He’s done a great job, and he has improved in just every aspect of the game.

“I’m not speaking for Kern, but I think I can speak for Kern: (Bax) could be a real big contributor to our team this year, not only as a tight end but also as a special teams player and also as a tight end.”

Kern, who was fourth on the team last season with 20 catches and two touchdowns, has appreciated the way Bax has pushed himself and others at the position.

“He prides himself on every part of his game,” Kern said. “He’s been a great asset to our room. He just comes into work every day, puts his head down and keeps on trucking. I have the most respect for him.

“I think Bax is becoming a great player."