FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ football team held its second full-scale practice of the preseason in the heat of the afternoon on Saturday. Here are several notes and observations from the 25-minute period of the workout that was open to reporters:
• Players who were in green no-contact jerseys: Offensive lineman Marcus Henderson and defensive back Jacorrei Turner. It was not known during Friday’s practice why Henderson was in green to begin camp, but Sam Pittman said afterward that he has a pectoral issue and it could be a week or more before he is back full-go. He was off to the side getting individual attention yesterday and again today.
• Multiple NFL scouts were present at practice, including from the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.
• Linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul was present but did not have his helmet and did not go through any drills. There was no noticeable injury and he did not appear to be favoring anything. Paul earned some praise during the spring for his play and football IQ. On Friday he worked alongside Bumper Pool with the first-team defense. With Paul out, Jackson Woodard stepped in for first-team reps early in practice.
• Drew Sanders, the transfer from Alabama, did not take part in the fastball start either of the first two days, but he joined the linebackers for position group drills on the grass field outdoors. He seems to be moving just fine. He was first in line for each drill with Pool.
• I watched quite a bit of the receivers catching passes on air from quarterbacks. Jaedon Wilson looks more smooth than he has in the past and much more confident. He dropped a deep ball near the end zone, but hauled in all other catchable throws.
Matt Landers, the transfer from Toledo who began his career at Georgia, has easy speed. Freshman Sam M’bake is physically impressive for a player his age. He had one drop on air, but was solid otherwise. Isaiah Sategna has really good burst off the line and displayed sure hands.
Jaquayln Crawford, who I wrote yesterday is now back from a broken leg that required surgery, isn’t quite 100%. Pittman said as much Friday night.
• Here is how the top three defenses lined up in Saturday’s first drill:
First team
DE: Jashaud Stewart
DT: Isaiah Nichols
DT: Eric Gregory
DE: Zach Williams
LB: Bumper Pool
LB: Jackson Woodard
CB: Hudson Clark
CB: Malik Chavis
S: Jalen Catalon
S: Simeon Blair
NB: Myles Slusher
Second team
DE: Landon Jackson
DT: Terry Hampton
DT: Cameron Ball
DE: Eric Thomas
LB: Mani Powell
LB: Jordan Crook
CB: LaDarrius Bishop
CB: Dwight McGlothern
S: Jayden Johnson
S: Latavious Brini
NB: Trent Gordon
Third team
DE: Dorian Gerald
DT: Marcus Miller
DT: Taylor Lewis
DE: Jordan Domineck
LB: Kaden Henley
LB: Brooks Both
CB: Keuan Parker
CB: Khari Johnson
S: Anthony Brown
S: Zach Zimos
NB: Jaylen Lewis
• And here is a look at the offense:
First team
QB: KJ Jefferson
RB: Rocket Sanders
TE: Trey Knox
WR: Matt Landers, Bryce Stephens, Warren Thompson
OL: Luke Jones, Brady Latham, Ricky Stromberg, Beaux Limmer, Dalton Wagner
Second team
QB: Malik Hornsby
RB: Rashod Dubinion
TE: Nathan Bax
WR: Jaquayln Crawford, Jaedon Wilson, Landon Rogers
OL: Devon Manuel, Jalen St. John, Josh Street, E’Marion Harris, Ty’Kieast Crawford
• Quarterback Cade Fortin, running back AJ Green, tight end Ty Washington and receivers Isaiah Sategna, Sam M’bake and Quincey McAdoo were with the third offense.
• Stephens made a nice play in which he reached behind his body to snag a ball from Hornsby. M’bake also had a semi-contested catch with Khari Johnson in coverage.
• Ketron Jackson won a 1-on-1 battle against cornerback Dwight McGlothern to make a nice catch.
• Nathan Bax lined up with the first-team offensive line for goal-line work.
• Defensive line coach Deke Adams worked with his group on strip sacks. “We’re not settling for sacks. We want the ball out. Do the little things,” Adams demanded of his group during one portion of practice.
Matt Jones contributed