NWADG College Football

20 NWA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 9.20.2020 Dalton Wagner is in a great camp battle with Noah Gatlin, who is coming off knee surgery. Two-year starting center Ty Clary is more in the guard mix along with Luke Jones and Shane Clenin on the left side. Ricky Stromberg, up to 311 pounds after playing much lighter as a starting right guard, is now snapping and he has the chance to be a three- year mainstay at center. Beaux Limmer, who challenges Jonathan Marshall for "strongest man on the team" honors, appears to have won the right guard slot. Other top reserves could be Ryan Winkel and true freshman Marcus Henderson. DEFENSE LINE What Sam Pittman was concerned during the winter could be a thin spot has a chance to emerge as a solid position group. The starting ends look to be Dorian Gerald, back from a rare neck injury, and Julius Coates, who probably generated more praise in camp than any newcomer outside of Franks. The 6-6, 289-pound Coates, a former tight end, has been tough to block. Mataio Soli, Eric Gregory and Zach Williams, all true freshmen last year, can be quality reserves with signee Jashaud Stewart showing early promise. Jonathan Marshall, the strongest Hog, should be in line for a starting tackle job along with Clemson transfer Xavier Kelly. Isaiah Nichols, Marcus Miller, Taurean Carter and others look to provide interior depth. LINEBACKER The Razorbacks have a chance to be stout here with veterans coming back in seniors Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry, and junior Bumper Pool. This unit has to start making more impact plays at and behind the line of scrimmage. Deon Edwards, Levi Draper and younger players such as Andrew Parker and J.T. Towers got quality looks in training camp. Zach Zimos and Kevin Burrle are young guys with good upside. Sam Pittman said on his first weekly radio appearance this spot needed to settle in soon, and he's not convinced a "by committee" approach will work.The numbers are up at linebacker in quantity, and coordinator Barry Odom and position coach Rion Rhoades need them to be up in quality. SECONDARY It has truly been a tough few years for the Arkansas defensive backfield, which has been down in numbers and had to play its starters too many snaps for several years running. Perhaps there can be a real rotation this season with coordinator and safeties coach Odom and corners coach Sam Carter cross training almost everybody. Montaric Brown, a defensive leader, and Jerry Jacobs appeared to win starting cornerback spots in camp, with two-year starter Jarques McClellion also taking reps at nickel back, where the production needs to go up, beginning with returning starter Greg Brooks Jr. LaDarrius Bishop, Malik Chavis and Devin Bush should factor in at the coverage spots. Joe Foucha leads a group of willing hitters at safety that includes Myles Mason, Jalen Catalon, Myles Slusher and Simeon Blair. Those guys are cross training all over the backfield. Freshmen Khari Johnson, Nick Turner and Jacorrei Turner look like keepers. The coaches think this unit has a chance to make a move and possibly be sneaky good. SPECIAL TEAMS Here's a good bet: Either punt returner Treylon Burks or kick returner De'Vion Warren will take one to the house in 2020. Warren has done it before — a 100-yarder as a freshman in 2017 vs. Auburn — and Burks seemed on the brink several times last year. Burks is trying to break his hands-only catching style, which seemed to work in his past. It would be hard to improve at kicker, where Connor Limpert finished up his career in 2019 as the most accurate FG guy in school history, but the combo of Duke transfer A.J. Reed and sophomore Matthew Phillips both made 52-yarders in scrimmage 2 and went 4 for 5. Punters Sam Loy and Reid Bauer are both back, but Michigan transfer George Caratan has a chance to come away with the starting role. Jordan Silver, a long snapper who has kept his name out of the media by being on target, has put on some good mass. NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe Arkansas tight end Hudson Henry returns to the back of the line Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, during practice at the university football practice fields in Fayetteville. Position n Continued from Page 6

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