NWADG College Football

2017

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Officially Licensed Razorbacks ® Jewelry Handmade in Fayetteville David Adams F i n e J e w e l e r s www.davidadams.com | 479-444-7778 Apartments Village Homes Cottages 1923 E. Joyce Blvd. | Fayetteville, Ark. | 479.695.8012 | butterfieldtrailvillage.org Featuring premier amenities and a variety of impressive living options, come discover the Butterfield lifestyle for yourself – celebrating more than 30 years as Northwest Arkansas' BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. Call to schedule your tour today! Simply the best. Sunday, August 27, 2017 17 NWA Democrat-Gazette College Football Preview Quarterback Austin Allen, with one season as an SEC starter in the books, has shown he belongs in the upper crust of quar- terbacks in the conference and the country. Allen completed 245 of 401 passes for 3,430 yards, with 25 TDs and 15 INTs. A step forward as a senior should be reflected in a substantial reduction in intercep- tions and sacks taken, as well as an uptick in his 61.1 percent comple- tions. A projected improvement in pass protection will help all around. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos did not name a No. 2 quarterback be- tween Ty Storey (1 of 4, 3 yards in 2016) and redshirt freshman Cole Kelley. Each has been given more time with the starters than in last year's camp, when every snap was critical for Allen. Freshman Daulton Hyatt seems certain to redshirt. Walk-ons Jack Lindsey and Carson Proctor had big moments in camp. Running back How do you adjust and move on when your returning 1,360-yard rusher is injured on the final day of spring and is forced to retire from football? The Razorbacks are about to find out. Rawleigh Williams III averaged 5.6 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns to go along with the third-highest rushing total in the SEC. His injury propelled sophomore Devwah Whaley (110 carries, 602 yards, 3 TDs, 5.5 ypc) to the top of the chart. Whaley had two 100-yard games and came on strong at season's end. He's the prototype power runner for a Bielema offense. David Williams, a graduate transfer from South Carolina, looks on track to be the tandem back with Whaley with a similar skill set. Freshman Chase Hayden has impressed in scrimmages and practice with his speed, wiggle and tackle-breaking, even on inside runs. The rookie should play a solid role. His classmate Maleek Williams is also off to a strong start but might have a reduced role because his traits are similar to Whaley and David Williams. Fullbacks Kendrick Jackson and Hayden Johnson should be key blockers in what is expected to be a more physical run game, and the duo will get an occasional touch. NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Arkansas quarterbacks Austin Allen (left) and Ty Storey drop back to pass Aug. 5 prior to the start of a scrimmage in Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Arkansas by position By Tom Murphy Allen Whaley See POSITIONS, Page 18

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