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Arkansas Football adds Several “Preferred Walk-Ons” for 2016

By Cory Thone

Nov 7, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) in action during the game against the Mississippi Rebelsat Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Arkansas won 53-52. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) in action during the game against the Mississippi Rebelsat Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Arkansas won 53-52. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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A “preferred walk-on” may sound weird, but it’s vital to a team’s depth chart. A preferred walk-on spot means that while you may not be getting a scholarship offer, you’re guaranteed a spot on the roster.

The Arkansas football team is building it’s depth chart in a pretty awesome way: by stacking it full of in state talent. The Razorbacks have added 5 preferred walk-ons in the last week or so, 4 of which come from the Natural State. While none of these guys have the star rankings or national attention that the scholarship offered players have, they bring crucial depth and ability to the Hogs for the next 4-5 years.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you shouldn’t be excited about a walk-on player. This is Arkansas, home of the greatest walk-on in the history of college football! These guys will get a shot to contribute and play on Saturdays in due time, and could potentially turn into big time contributors or starters before their time at Arkansas is over.

  • Linebacker Ben Brasuell from Benton, Arkansas has the frame to be an SEC linebacker. At 6’2 217 pounds, the linebacker chose to walk on at Arkansas, despite having offers from Army and Arkansas Tech.

    • Kicker Connor Limpert

    has decided to walk on at Fayetteville. According to Kohl’s Kicking Camps, Limpert is the #11 kicker in the nation. His sister already attends the UofA, and that weighed heavily on his decision. He told Danny West that he thinks he can come in and compete for next year. I only have 1 question, kid…can you kick it into the endzone on kickoffs?

    Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines against the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
    Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines against the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Offensive Lineman Tyler Hall from Maumelle is another in state kid with the right kind of frame for the SEC. At 6’6, 290 pounds, the offensive tackle could potentially thrive in a Bielema/Enos scheme with a few years of weight training under his belt.
  • Linebacker Grant Morgan from Greenwood has as much potential as anybody the Hogs are signing, walk-on or otherwise. Grant is the brother of standout receiver Drew Morgan, and was named to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette’s All-Preps team after logging 132 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 pass deflections and 2 recovered fumbles. The 5’11, 225 pound athlete has the potential to turn into a linebacker/safety hybrid, similar to Dre Greenlaw.
  • Athlete Justice Hobbs from Farmington is a skill player that has entered the program at the right time. He stands at 5’11, 215 pounds and has been timed with a 40 yard dash as fast as 4.59. After this wave of receivers that the Hogs have graduate out, the Hogs will be looking for players to step up in the slot. Hobbs has the frame to block, the speed to get open in the flats, and the athleticism to turn it up field for yards. He has a high ceiling with Arkansas football.

    • More razorbacks: The Greatest Walk-On in NCAA History

    Bret Bielema is adding quality kids to his roster with his preferred walk-on program. Don’t be surprised when, in a few years, a couple of these kids are making plays for the Hogs in SEC play.

    Woo Pig.

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