Arkansas Razorback Football: Updates on Fall Practices

Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorback running back Dennis Johnson (33) carries the ball during scrimmage. Credit: Beth Hall-US PRESSWIRE

Fayetteville, Ark. – The Arkansas Razorbacks held three defensive starters out of Tuesday’s practices due to injuries.

Linebackers Alonzo Highsmith (hamstring), Tenarius Wright (possible concussion), and safety Eric Bennett (unknown) watched practice from the sidelines. The extent of their injuries is not expected to keep them out of game action when the season begins Sept. 1.

Davis Heisman Watch… Tackle Watch

Running back Knile Davis was held out of scrimmage action.

The Razorback coaching staff are doing everything they can to protect him from injury. At some point they are going to have to let him get tackled to the ground before appearing against Jacksonville State.

Part of getting into football shape is taking full-speed hits. Knile will need the contact to knock the rust off and get his balance back into the flow of the game.

Another positive about not letting Davis get hit early is his legs should be fresh(er) when the season goes live. His strength is well documented, how he holds up against 20 plus rushes per game against SEC foes week after week after a year off from the game will help determine the Razorbacks success in 2012.

Tyler Wilson Sharp

A day after offensive coordinator Paul Petrino got after starting quarterback Tyler Wilson for having an off day, Wilson shinned in the Razorbacks first scrimmage of the fall.

Wilson was 14-18 for 221 yards with three touchdowns.

Who’s No. 2?

At the conclusion of spring practices Brandon Mitchell was inline to be Tyler Wilson’s backup under center for the second year in a row with Brandon Allen holding a clipboard as third string signal caller.

The Mitchell experiment at wide receiver seems to be going so well along with the progression of redshirt freshman Brandon Allen at QB that Mitchell may find himself split out full-time. Allen threw two scrimmage TDs to six-foot six true freshman wide receiver Mekale McKay.

Arkansas needs leadership and game experience at wide receiver after losing a total of nine receivers from last years squad for various reasons. Mitchell’s athleticism has been observed by Razorback Nation on the football field and last season on the hardwood as a backup forward for head coach Mike Anderson.

At 6’4” Mitchell has the speed, size, and hands to make a difference for Arkansas on the field as a wide out in 2012.

He was recruited by LSU and others out of high school to play safety.

Fired Up

Offensive lineman Mitch Smothers got into a practice scuffle with true freshman defensive tackle Darius Philon on Monday. Philon’s high school teammate JaMichael Winston (defensive end) joined the fracas before the parties were split up.

Fights among teammates on the practice field are common place. Getting into a scrap this early into camp should have the Hogs nasty come Sept. 1.

Jacksonville State you have been warned.