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Players to Watch in the Arkansas Spring Game

By Barrett Pfeiffer

Nov 7, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) scores a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) scores a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Austin Allen & Rafe Peavey

You can’t have a football team without putting your quarterback first. Behind center is where the most competition has presented itself for Arkansas. The competition between four four-star recruits has been one of the more interesting in college football. But like all competitions, someone has to win. Here, it was Austin Allen, younger brother of Arkansas QB Brandon Allen.

Having another Allen at QB does not mean he is the same guy, however. The styles between Austin and Brandon are different, and something that should be apparent this Saturday. While both Allen’s are typical pro-style quarterbacks, Austin tends to stay in the pocket as long as possible, while Brandon could scramble from time to time.

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (8) looks to hand off during the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (8) looks to hand off during the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Even though the two are different, they play the same position. The younger Allen has made a career in following in his brother’s footsteps. After Brandon’s record-breaking seasons at Fayetteville High School, Austin stepped in and broke those records himself before graduating. So saying that this new generation of Allens at quarterback could mean even more success is not at all improbable.

The other QB to look at this Saturday is Rafe Peavey. Peavey lost the starting job to Allen and was named the No. 2 guy. While Allen is the definition of a pocket passer, Rafe Peavey is the definition of a mobile quarterback. His speed is unlike anything we have seen behind center in recent history. It’s also his arm that has people pushing for him to play this fall. OC Dan Enos told ESPN that Rafe Peavey is “Probably the best pure passer as far as arm strength and ability to get the ball down the field.” With that being said, why isn’t there a competition anymore?

The biggest thing in the mind of Head Coach Bret Bielema is consistency. Throughout the spring practice, Allen was the man who consistently made himself stand out amongst the other competing QBs, and proved that he was the most experienced quarterback on the team.

These two guys are the top guns to watch in the spring game. It will be most interesting to find out who stands out the most during the matchup, especially if it ends up being Peavey.

Next: Making Wise Decisions

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