Latham, Jones in 'high-level' battle at LG

Arkansas offensive lineman Brady Latham (62) takes part in a drill Thursday, April 15. 2021, during practice at the university practice field in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — One of the position battles talked about least for Arkansas this preseason is also one of its most important.

Luke Jones and Brady Latham — former high school standouts at Arkansas and Oklahoma powerhouses Pulaski Academy and Jenks, respectively — were in competition for the starting job at left guard this spring. Through 10 days of training camp, not much has changed.

It figures to be a battle that runs through the final days of the preseason.

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"It's going to be down to the wire,” Arkansas offensive line coach Cody Kennedy said Tuesday. “I’ll be honest with you, it's not one of those bad down to the wires either. They're scrapping every day. They know what's at stake. It's not a secret in our room that there's a competition there.

“You know, great, great programs, great teams, that's the cornerstone of it — competition within those position groups. Those two guys are great kids that come to work every day.”

In the five days Arkansas has done team work during the portion of practice open to the media, Latham has slotted as the first-team left guard four times, including the first fully padded workout and both days this week. Jones operated with the No. 1 offense on Day 4.

Latham was one of two Arkansas linemen to start all 10 games last season, while Jones, a transfer from Notre Dame, played in every game and saw 84 offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He played a season-high 34 snaps at left guard in the late-season loss at Missouri.

“With Luke, you're going to get a bigger kid,” Kennedy said. “Brady has been putting on weight and has done a great job getting up to over 300 pounds now, but Luke's a little bit of a bigger kid, sturdier kid. With Brady, you're going to get a very fiery young man who's going to go at it every day.”

The 6-5 Latham has gained 9 pounds since last season and is now listed at 305. Jones, who also stands 6-5, checks in this preseason at 310, which is 16 pounds heavier than a season ago.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said after the first scrimmage of camp that Latham is also able to provide depth at right tackle behind Dalton Wagner, the 6-9 redshirt senior. Asked about the battle at left guard, Wagner said both players are high-level talents who play violently.

“They take it personal when one of them moves up the depth chart and one of them moves down the depth chart,” Pittman said. “It's going to come down to the wire. Those guys are going to fight for that spot tooth and nail.

“It’s going to be interesting to see who wins it.”

Ty Clary, currently working at center as Ricky Stromberg recovers from a knee injury, also described left guard as a race that is neck and neck.

“They are both excellent guards,” Clary said. “I think it’s a really good battle for us to have. Brady is super physical. Luke is physical, too.

“It’s really who can put together more consistent days.”