NWADG College Football

2018

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28 Arkansas Football Sunday, August 26, 2018 Arkansas Position Analysis Offensive Line This position had an injury bull's- eye on its back in camp, with a handful of players ailing, including starting left tackle Colton Jackson, his replacement Dalton Wagner, Dylan Hays, right guard candidate Jalen Merrick and veteran re- serve Deion Malone, who is out for the year after knee surgery. Austin Capps, a two-way star at Star City, moved to left guard the second week of camp. Hjalte Froholdt, the leader of the unit who spoke with passion about the pos- sibilities for his senior season at SEC Media Days, appears to be a fixture now at center ahead of Hays. Shane Clenin and Kirby Adcock topped the chart on the left side heading into Scrimmage 2. Johnny Gibson and Brian Wallace, both long-running veterans, are providing sta- bility, strength and improved stamina on the right side. Wallace was slowed for a short while in camp. Jackson might miss half the season after back surgery, giving Clenin, Wagner and possibly true freshman Noah Gatlin prime experience. Position coach Dustin Fry must have his fingers crossed to get Wagner, Merrick and then Jackson back to supply depth on the beleaguered unit. Defensive line Believe it or not, there could be some quality depth here if the Razorbacks stay relatively healthy after years of sporting thin fronts. McTelvin "Sosa" Agim has been promised to play at end and tackle, so the coaches will be looking for ways to scheme advantages for their quick- twitch, explosive junior. Randy "Ram- bo" Ramsey and Gabe Richardson led the group of ends in camp that included high-ceiling Jamario Bell, junior college transfer Dorian Gerald, Michael Taylor, Nick Fulwider and Courtre Alexander. Sophomore Alexy Jean-Baptiste took reps at end during the second week of camp. Gerald, who has a big upside, re- ported the day camp started, so he's had to catch up in all areas. Steady T.J. Smith is back as the starting right tackle, while Armon Watts was off to a strong start on the left side, pushed by Agim. Jona- than Marshall, Briston Guidry and true freshman Isaiah Nichols should be in the rotation at DT. Billy Farrell appears targeted for a redshirt. The Razorbacks did not have a player ranked in the top 20 of the SEC in sacks or tackles for loss last year. Linebackers The combo of senior Dre Greenlaw and junior De'Jon Harris, who play the weak side and middle, respectively, has a chance to be one of the best duos in the SEC. Harris racked up 115 tackles and Green- law 103 last year, but the hope is they don't have to log as many snaps this season. Grant Morgan, flexible Hayden Henry and freshman Bumper Pool were getting the bulk of second-team reps mid- way through camp. Can the Razorbacks begin to get use out of sophomores Dee Walker, Giovanni La- France, Deon Edwards and Kyrei Fisher? If so, it'll make the main-line guys much fresher at crunch time. Andrew Parker is a promising freshman. NWA Democrat-Gazette/J.T. WAMPLER The Razorbacks' Hjalte Froholdt lines up at center during practice Aug. 14. NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Razorback defensive lineman Armon Watts (right) runs through drills with McTelvin Agim on Aug. 8 during football practice on campus in Fayetteville. NWA Democrat-Gazette/CHARLIE KAIJO Razorbacks linebackers De'Jon Harris (left) and Dre Greenlaw pose for a portrait Aug. 4 during a media day in Fayetteville.

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