Arkansas football’s new offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey offered Razorbacks fans their first real look at his offensive philosophy during his initial interview with Hogs Plus, outlining a scheme built on flexibility, tempo, and constant pressure on opposing defenses.
11 Personnel as a Foundation, Not a Limitation
Cramsey described his offense as an “11 personnel” system by title, featuring one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers, but was quick to clarify that it is not confined to that grouping. While 11 personnel serves as a foundation, the offense is designed to be multiple in both personnel and formations, allowing for constant adjustment based on game flow and defensive looks.
Rather than relying on a single identity, Cramsey emphasized innovation and adaptability. His system is built to shift week to week and even snap to snap, forcing defenses to prepare for a wide variety of looks.
Pre-Snap Movement and Personnel Flexibility
That versatility extends to pre-snap movement, which Cramsey views as a key tool in dictating terms to the defense. He frequently incorporates shifts and motion before the snap, whether that means moving a tight end across the offensive line to create a strong- or weak-side advantage, or motioning receivers to help diagnose coverage in the secondary.
Cramsey highlighted the importance of having the right players, athletes capable of executing multiple roles without needing to substitute. His offense is designed to seamlessly shift from 12 personnel on one play to 11 personnel on the next, and even more all without making substitutions. That approach prevents the defense from making their own changes, keeps the tempo high, and gradually wears opponents down.
The ability to line up in one formation and shift into another once the defense shows its hand forces defenders to process information quickly, often without help from the sideline.
Tempo, Control, and Defensive Stress
Tempo is another defining feature of Cramsey’s scheme. The Razorbacks will operate out of a no-huddle offense that fully controls the pace of the game. While that can mean speeding things up, Cramsey stressed that tempo is just as much about control as it is about speed. Slowing the game down can be just as effective when the offense dictates the rhythm.
Cramsey’s background under Chip Kelly, long known for high-tempo offenses in both college football and the NFL, helped shape that philosophy. While he embraced Kelly’s emphasis on playing fast, Cramsey has evolved his approach, focusing on forcing defenses to think quickly through personnel versatility, pre-snap adjustments, and formation shifts.
Listening to Cramsey break down his offensive vision makes it easy to understand why Memphis found consistent success on that side of the ball during his tenure. Arkansas fans will get their first on-field look at this system in fall 2026, and based on his discussion with Hogs Plus, there is plenty of reason for excitement as a new era on offense takes shape in Fayetteville.