2012 College Football: Arkansas Razorbacks Release Depth Chart
By Ryan Wright
Fayetteville, Ark. – Preparations for the Arkansas Razorbacks first game of the 2012 college football season will officially begin this week when the Hogs implement their game plans for incoming Jacksonville State.
One thing that will not be a surprise come Saturday is the starting lineup for the Razorbacks. Monday the University of Arkansas athletic department released the depth chart for the Jacksonville State game. Few surprises were found in the updated information.
If you’ve been following Razorbackers.com for very long you should be well aware of true freshman wide receiver Mekale McKay. From the moment he signed with Arkansas there was something about his size, athletic ability, and potential that immediately stood out.
McKay’s performance throughout fall camp was awarded with a first-team position opposite senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and junior quarterback turned wide out Brandon Mitchell. McKay has the side and speed to be an immediate impact player for the Hogs. His blocking up field in the running game should help running backs Knile Davis and Dennis Johnson get open space on the next level.
Mitchell is another welcomed surprise for the Razorbacks. After nine total receivers from Arkansas’ 2011 team left the program due to graduation, transferring, or dismissal a once bright spot on the Arkansas depth chart had become a question mark. Mitchell has made the move from backup quarterback to starting wide receiver since spring practices and appears to be in line to make a difference on the field this season.
Several redshirt freshmen will be counted on as primary backups to start the season. Perhaps the most important is second-team QB Brandon Allen. Allen has been sharp throughout camp. His knowledge of the offensive system was a primary reason the Arkansas coaching staff was able to move then second string quarterback Brandon Mitchell to wide receiver. Allen can make all of the throws needed if called upon and has improved reading defenses over the last year.
Among the other redshirt freshmen that will receive playing time this weekend on offense include wide receiver Keante Minor, tight end Alex Voelzke, and running back-fullback Kody Walker.
Fewer redshirt freshmen line the defense than the offense but more true freshmen may play on the defensive side of the ball than on the offense by seasons end. Redshirt freshmen safety Rohan Gaines and corner back Davyon McKinney make the two-deep charts.
True freshmen linebackers Otha Peters and A.J. Turner are expected to contribute in 2012 as well as cornerback Will Hines, along with defensive ends Brandon Lewis, JaMicheal Winston, and Deatrich Wise. True freshmen Defonta Lowe could see action at safety if the Hogs depth chart is shortened by injuries.
Add the title of Iron Man to Kiero Small’s impressive resume. Small opens the season as the team’s starting fullback and backup middle linebacker. How well starting middle linebacker Tank Wright responds to the move from defensive end to linebacker will reflect heavily on Small’s role on defense.
Two former walk-ons will prove hard work, dedication, and patience can be rewarded come Saturday when offensive tackle David Hurd (West Monroe, LA) and offensive guard Tyler Deacon (Little Rock, Ark) take the field as starters.
Hurd beat out last year’s starter Jason Peacock and sophomore Chris Stringer while Deacon bested Luke Charpentier and Marcus Danenhauer for the starting position.
Junior college transfers Austin Flynn and Demetrius Wilson have played their way onto second team. Flynn will back up starting defensive end Trey Flowers and Wilson will work behind McKay.
Preseason Heisman Trophy Award candidate Knile Davis will make his comeback from his ankle injury official versus Jacksonville State. Davis won back the starting position he held in 2010 after missing all of 2011.
OFFENSE
WR
17 Brandon Mitchell (Jr., 6-4, 230)
2 Julian Horton (Jr., 6-1, 194)
4 Keon Hatcher (Fr., 6-2, 205)
WR
11 Cobi Hamilton (Sr., 6-3, 209)
19 Javontee Herndon (Jr., 6-1, 204)
WR
82 Mekale McKay (Fr., 6-6, 190)
81 Demetrius Wilson (Jr., 6-3, 180)
15 Keante Minor (So., 6-0, 205)
TE
80 Chris Gragg (Sr., 6-3, 236)
87 Austin Tate (Jr., 6-6, 253)
46 Alex Voelzke (Fr., 6-6, 220)
OT
69 David Hurd (Jr,. 6-6, 300)
70 Chris Stringer (So., 6-7, 304)
OG
76 Tyler Deacon (Sr., 6-4, 300)
75 Luke Charpentier (So., 6-4, 305)
C
64 Travis Swanson (Jr., 6-5, 305)
65 Mitch Smothers (So., 6-4, 296)
OG
67 Alvin Bailey (Jr., 6-5, 312)
75 Luke Charpentier (So., 6-4, 305)
OT
74 Brey Cook (So., 6-7, 308) 71
Jason Peacock (Sr., 6-4, 305)
QB
8 Tyler Wilson (Sr., 6-3, 220)
10 Brandon Allen (Fr., 6-3, 212)
RB
7 Knile Davis (Jr., 6-0, 226) 33
Dennis Johnson (Sr., 5-9, 213)
OR
20 Ronnie Wingo Jr. (Sr., 6-3, 231)
FB
36 Kiero Small (Sr., 5-10, 255)
40 Kody Walker (Fr., 6-2, 240)
K
18 Zach Hocker (Jr., 6-0, 180)
43 John Henson (So., 5-11, 138)
P
14 Dylan Breeding (Sr., 6-1, 211)
18 Zach Hocker (Jr., 6-0, 180)
SNP
53 Alan D’Appollonio (So., 6-0, 201)
56 Will Coleman (Jr., 6-3, 253)
DEFENSE
DE
86 Trey Flowers (So., 6-4, 243)
41 Austin Flynn (Jr., 6-5, 260)
DT
54 Byran Jones (Jr., 6-2, 312)
51 Alfred Davis (Sr., 6-1, 318)
57 Jared Green (Sr., 6-0, 315)
DT
92 DeQuinta Jones (Sr., 6-5, 299)
98 Robert Thomas (Jr., 6-3, 308)
DE
42 Chris Smith (Jr., 6-3, 251)
90 Colton Miles-Nash (Sr., 6-6, 261)
OLB
39 Jarrett Lake (Jr., 6-3, 223)
24 Daunte Carr (So., 6-3, 224)
MLB
43 Tenarius Wright (Sr., 6-2, 252)
36 Kiero Small (Sr., 5-10, 255)
OLB
45 Alonzo Highsmith (Sr., 6-1, 233)
25 Terrell Williams (Sr., 6-3, 232)
CB
8 Tevin Mitchel (So., 6-0, 192)
13 Davyon McKinney (Fr., 6-3, 190)
9 Will Hines (Fr., 6-1, 185)
S
35 Ross Rasner (Sr., 6-0, 212)
27 Alan Turner (So., 6-0, 212)
S
14 Eric Bennett (Jr., 6-0, 206)
26 Rohan Gaines (Fr., 5-11, 190)
CB
21 Darius Winston (Sr., 6-0, 191)
23 Kaelon Kelleybrew (Sr., 5-11, 180)
SPECIAL TEAMS
H
16 Brian Buehner (So., 5-11, 195)
14 Dylan Breeding (Sr., 6-1, 211)
KOR
33 Dennis Johnson (Sr., 5-9, 213)
22 Nate Holmes (Fr., 6-1, 175)
20 Ronnie Wingo Jr. (Sr., 6-3, 231)
PR
33 Dennis Johnson (Sr., 5-9, 213)
15 Keante Minor (So., 6-0, 205)