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Arkansas Football: Takeaways from Hogs’ full-pad practice

By Chris Jackson

Oct 24, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2016 Arkansas football season starting in less than a month, the Hogs are practicing in full pads, with full contact.

Although real practice is here, are we getting any real news from the Coaches? The number one question fans have going into this season is the quarterback situation. Although we know who will be leading the Razorback offense, with Austin Allen it’s unclear as to who is going to be the go-to backup.

In an interview with Offensive Coordinator Dan Enos after Tuesday’s practice, he basically was challenging one of those guys behind Allen, to step up and fill the role. Enos says in an interview on wholehogsports.com, “They’re all getting reps and we’ve had some up and down days. No one has separated themselves yet so it’s still open. Very open.”

One story slowly coming out that I was really interested in, was the recovery of running back Rawleigh Williams. Last year, Williams took a near career ending neck injury that could have left him paralyzed. Very rarely does a player who takes that kind of injury come back fully, and even more rarely, come back improved.

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Williams has actually come back faster this year than last year. Enos said of the returning back, “As far as I’m concerned, he’s picked up right where he left off. He’s got great acceleration, runs behind his pads well and great vision.”

One aspect of Williams’ running, that I am anxious to see, is his aggressiveness and contact. His freshman year last season, he showed he had no fear of lowering his shoulder and trading paint for those extra yards.

For Arkansas, the offense is only as good it’s offensive line and – like the backup quarterback situation – nothing is set in stone yet. Today was no different and the moves kept coming for the front five, with Skipper going back to left tackle and Brian Wallace trying out the right tackle spot.

First year o-line coach, Kurt Anderson, won’t be putting a stop to the moves until he finds his best five, and Enos is more than happy enough to let him keep going. The best part about this, as far as mid season preparedness goes, is since all these guys have been in one position or another, if one guy goes down with an injury, Anderson and Enos already have a game plan for the next man up.

Nov 21, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads celebrates a first-half touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won the game 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads celebrates a first-half touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won the game 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

My personal biggest concern for this year, comes on the defensive side of the ball. To say the Razorback secondary was bad last season is a complete understatement. The tackling was… well non-existent.

The coverage was what you might see in a J.V. high school game. I mean let’s take a look at one fact.  At the end of last season, Arkansas ranked a whole six spots above Kansas for Pass defense…zero-win Kansas. Let that sink in. There is hope however.

“Last year was last year, and what happened, happened. We know what we did wrong. We are a new team. We are a new defense.” says free safety Josh Liddell according to wholehogsports.com.

One new addition to that new team is former Iowa state head coach, Paul Rhoads who, according to wholehogsports.com, says “I thought it was a group that was very eager to be coached when I arrived.” Rhoads. who is known to have a little pep in his coaching, is, in my opinion, the man for the job. That group didn’t need the “Oh it’s ok, we’ll get em next time.” kind of guy.

That being said, it’s going to help having depth at corner to find what’s working and what’s not. According to wholehogsports.com, Rhoads says, “We have great depth at corner and with that depth at corner, it gives you some flexibility with the nickle and dime packages.”

must read: Not Many Hogs on Preason All-SEC Lists

Coach Rhoads has been working on eyes and according to Liddell, which can only improve coverage and situational awareness.  Between the new depth and development Rhoads is bringing to this years group, I’m looking forward to seeing a better, more disciplined group of guys.

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