FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman didn’t reveal the result of the key battle left on the offense, the starting spot at left guard, when he met with media for the final time before Rice game week.
Pittman said following Thursday’s practice that Brady Latham and Luke Jones were still fighting for the left guard spot. That battle should continue through the early part of next week.
However, it appears Ty Clary, the likely starter at right guard, might be the team’s most valuable offensive lineman. Clary might be the backup for as many as three other spots.
Clary has worked as the first-team center earlier in August camp when Ricky Stromberg was injured. Now that Stromberg is full speed, Clary is getting looks at both tackle spots.
More from WholeHogSports
https://www.wholeho…">Latest preseason camp coverage
“Ty has a lot of value for this team,” Pittman said. “He might be our backup at left and right tackle, and at center. Brady Latham has gotten some work at right and left tackle, too.”
The team began Rice preparations on Thursday with work to simulate the looks for the Sept. 4 opponent on both sides of the ball. However, Pittman said it’s not the first time this camp he’s broken down looks with a scout team.
“We’ve done that three or four times,” Pittman said. “We worked a little on the option (offense) that Georgia Southern runs. And, we looked at some stack (defense) that some of our other opponents utilize.”
Pittman acknowledged that “we had a lot of green” no-contact jerseys at practice Thursday, but all should be ready for the Rice game.
“We’ve come out of (August camp) fairly injury free for our first game,” he said.
Missing Thursday was All-SEC receiver Treylon Burks. However, there is speculation Burks will be back for the Rice game.
“What you do get when a player like that is out, you get to see a lot of others, so that can actually help our team,” Pittman said.
Among the players in green jerseys Wednesday but back full speed Thursday were receiver De’Vion Warren and defensive end Tre Williams.
“With Burks out, that’s allowed Bryce Stephens, Kendall Catalon and Jaquayln Crawford to move in there,” Pittman said. “On the outside, we like Warren Thompson, Ketron Jackson.”
Pittman has also praised the play of Warren, John David White and Harper Cole.
Asked about the overall progress of the team during camp, Pittman said he was pleased.
“I really like the way our team works,” he said. “As far as earlier in camp — maybe Days 10 through 12 — I was disappointed with offensive execution and that they weren’t urgent enough, but they have picked things up from there.”
Pittman laughed before saying he thought Thursday’s practice was “super,” after noting he has usually liked every practice.
After praising the depth of the defensive line during his radio show Wednesday night, Pittman said depth is progressing in the offensive line, too.
As for his backup tackles, he said Ty’Kieast Crawford has gotten “a lot of work with the ones with (right tackle Dalton) Wagner out. I think Jalen St. John is improved. He had a (shoulder) stinger and was nursing it for a few days. He didn’t like it when I’d come around those days.”
Asked if he’d be comfortable playing two quarterbacks, Pittman said yes, if the second-team quarterback earned it.
“(Backup quarterback) Malik Hornsby has some similarities (with starter KJ Jefferson), but he’s also got some abilities to run," Pittman said.
“We probably feel better about (Hornsby) than last year and we brought him in on the goal line against Auburn. In hindsight, he was probably not ready. Now he’s ready for some (playing time).”