The Razorbacks Have a Lot to be Thankful For

Arkansas Razorbacks fans have a lot to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. The football team is bowl eligible after starting the season 1-3. The basketball team has got a great recruiting class signed, and the baseball team just locked down another top 10 recruiting class as well.

It may not be a perfect situation across the board in Fayetteville, but Thanksgiving isn’t about wishing for things you don’t have. That’s what Christmas is for. Today is about being appreciative of what you do have. And all things considered, Arkansas Razorbacks fans are pretty blessed right now.

First off, Rawleigh Williams III is going to be ok. That’s the biggest blessing that we’ve had this year. Sure, there have been lots of injuries to the Hogs football team, but none of them have been as scary as RW3 going limp on the sideline after a hard hit to his head. I’m not sure if Rawleigh will get to play football again, but he’s going to be ok as a person. And that is what’s truly important.

Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rawleigh Williams III (22) runs with the ball against Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Qualen Cunningham (9) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

As far of the other injuries go, some of them have robbed Arkansas fans of great performances, but none of them have limited the future for these players. While we’ll never get to see Johnathan Williams in Cardinal & White again, he’s accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and will be drafted into the NFL. Keon Hatcher, however, has decided to take a medical redshirt and return as a redshirt senior in 2016. Next year’s offense will have lots of weapons on offense.

We’re pretty lucky to have Bret Bielema as well. As other coaches and programs around Arkansas are suffering and crumbling, the head Hog has maybe finally hit his stride. The 2016 recruiting class is shaping up to be special, and the Razorbacks have a chance to win 7 or 8 games this season. Bielema’s Hogs stay (pretty much) out of trouble and maintain good GPAs. It’s a far cry from our last coach.

The Hogs should count their blessings to have Mike Anderson as well. There are a lot of people who are disappointed that a certain player decided not to come to Arkansas. They need to get over it, because Anderson has a whole team of kids that are damn proud to be Razorbacks, and we’re damn proud to have them. Anderson is bringing in a great class with proven players, and while this season may not have the number of wins that Hog fans want, next season should turn out to be pretty great.

Finally, Razorback fans should be very pleased with Dave Van Horn and the Diamond Hogs. Coming off a 2015 season that ended in Omaha, the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team has just pulled in another dynamic class with a great mixture of in state, out of state, and JUCO talent. Van Horn is one of the best coaches in all of college baseball, and it’s showing in both on the field and in recruiting.

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Also, be thankful you got to witness Andrew Benintendi last season. He was one of, if not the, most decorated individual athlete in the history of Arkansas athletics. The overall player of the year in the nation for every major award, the Red Sox draft pick is already making waves as a professional. Benintendi should be remembered the same way we remember Corliss Williamson and Darren McFadden. He was one of the best to ever rock a Hogs uniform.

We also got to witness Bobby Portis on the hardwood last season. The Razorbacks made the 2^nd round of the NCAA tournament, and had some great players and moments. Portis was the SEC Player of the Year, and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round. Portis, just like Benny Baseball, is already turning heads as a professional.

Next: 2016 Recruiting Class Could Save Hogs Defense

Oh yeah, in case you forgot, the Razorbacks beat the crap out of Texas to start 2015. Then the Hogs put 5 players into the NFL off an incredibly talented defense. From the beginning of the year, the Razorbacks have been great fun to watch and cheer for. I’m proud to be a Razorback. While 2015 hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, there has been more sunny days than cloudy ones. And for that, we should be thankful.

Woo Pig. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.