Ethan Westerman is a reporter for the Hawgs Sports Network. He has bachelor's degrees in journalism and marketing from the University of Arkansas.
Notes and observations from Tuesday's spring practice
Arkansas defensive back Lorando Johnson runs through a drill Thursday, March 30, 2023, during practice at the university practice facility in Fayetteville.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas on Tuesday went inside Walker Pavilion for its first practice since Saturday’s scrimmage in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Razorbacks worked out in shoulder pads and helmets. Here are a few notes and observations from the 45-minute viewing window:
• Players who were not dressed out included defensive lineman Cam Ball (ankle sprain), offensive lineman Terry Wells, wide receiver Jaedon Wilson (leg), running back Dominique Johnson (knee), defensive back RJ Johnson, defensive back Al Walcott and offensive lineman Luke Brown. They were working together off to the side with the training staff.
• Receivers coach Kenny Guiton, who was a quarterback at Ohio State, threw passes to players in his group early on in practice. He can still spin it well.
I came away impressed again with Isaiah Sategna. He looks comfortable, confident, and he crossed a defensive back’s face a number of times after getting off the line quickly. I also thought Isaac TeSlaa had a solid day catching the ball, and Andrew Armstrong did as well. His route running seems to be coming along at a good clip.
• Co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson, during a drill in which a pair of defensive backs on one side of the field defended passes against two receivers, made those in the secondary drop and knock out 10 pushups for what he called “eye violations.” I think 2-3 defensive backs wound up doing pushups.
• Wide receiver Tyrone Broden was on the field today and around drills, but he did not do much as far as I could tell. He had a wrap on his right knee. Sam Pittman last Tuesday said the Bowling Green transfer had a “slight knee sprain” after a collision in the end zone.
• Freshman quarterback Malachi Singleton looked comfortable during quarterback mobility drills, moving around dummy bags on the turf. He missed most of his senior season with a foot injury, but appeared to be close, if not back, to speed.
He threw accurate deep balls multiple times and had a pair of completions to sophomore wide receiver Sam Mbake, who was his high school teammate.
• On his final snap against the defense, KJ Jefferson took a quarterback option up the right hash with a burst. He had a big gain and would have likely scored in a game-like scenario. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos patted him on the head and was pleased with the read and run.
• Running backs Raheim Sanders and AJ Green each had runs for first downs in which their shiftiness was on display. Sanders and Green had five rushes, while Rashod Dubinion had four and Jefferson had three.
• Redshirt junior running back Preston Crawford had two rushes. He had a big gain on the second-to-last play of the session.
• Here is a look at the offensive and defensive alignment during a team period:
Offense
QB: KJ Jefferson / Jacolby Criswell, Cade Fortin / Cade Fortin, Malachi Singleton
RB: Raheim Sanders, AJ Green, Rashod Dubinion / Raheim Sanders, AJ Green / AJ Green, Preston Crawford
WR: Andrew Armstrong, Isaac TeSlaa, Bryce Stephens / Andrew Armstrong, Isaiah Sategna, Marlon Crockett / Chris Harris, Kalil Girault, Landon Rogers
TE: Nathan Bax, Ty Washington / Ty Washington, Luke Hasz / Hunter Talley, Zach Lee
LT: Devon Manuel / Andrew Chamblee / Brock Burns
LG: Brady Latham / Cole Carson / Paris Patterson
C: Beaux Limmer / Josh Street / Eli Henderson
RG: Josh Braun / E’Marion Harris / Payton Simpson
RT: Patrick Kutas / Ty’Kieast Crawford / Tommy Varhall
Defense
DE: Trajan Jeffcoat / John Morgan / Nico Davillier
DT: Taurean Carter / Marcus Miller / JJ Hollingsworth
DT: Eric Gregory / Kyle Thompson / Marcus Miller
DE: Landon Jackson / Nico Davillier / Kyle Thompson
LB: Chris Paul / Antonio Grier / Kaden Henley
LB: Jordan Crook / Mani Powell / Brooks Both
CB: Quincey McAdoo / Aidan McCowan
CB: Dwight McGlothern / Jaylon Braxton
S: Jayden Johnson / Braylon Watson
S: Hudson Clark / TJ Metcalf
Nickel: Lorando Johnson / Jaylen Lewis
Note: I was not able to see all of the numbers on the third-team defensive backs.
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