Arkansas is about to undergo a complete identity change. Under new head coach Chad Morris, you will see shift from a pro-style to a spread style offense, along with a reenergized defense under new coordinator John Chavis. With a favorable schedule, there is a chance to see the Razorbacks sneak into a bowl game with an upset or two.
Prestige Ranking (If NCAA Football 19 existed): 3*… Arkansas in the last five years has gone 29-34, playing in the gauntlet known as the SEC West. Although they have made three bowl games in the past four years, their last New Years Six bowl game came in 2011, where they beat Kansas State 29-16. There needs to be more consistent double digit win total seasons for their prestige to reach that 4-5 star range.
Last Year’s Record: 4-8 (1-7 SEC)
Projected Returning Starters:
Offense: 9
New head coach Chad Morris has installed a new spread offense look for the Razorbacks, which is a stark difference from their previous pro-style attack from the Brett Bielema Days. They return plenty of skill position players and offensive linemen, but will be starting a new quarterback as sophomore Cole Kelley and junior Ty Storey will be battling it out during fall camp for the starting position. The offensive line will be anchored by guard Hjalte Froholdt with both tackles, Colton Jackson and Brain Wallace, returning as well. In the backfield, the combination of Devwah Whaley and Maleek Williams are your traditional power backs, while T.J Hammonds and Chase Hayden are seen as your traditional speed backs. Devwah Waley is the projected starter for the Razorbacks. Receiving on the outside, they do get Jared Cornelius back, who will be coming off achilles tendon surgery. He will be lining up along side Jonathan Nance, the leading returning receiver who had 37 receptions last year, with five of them being for touchdowns.
Projected Returning Starters:
Defense: 8
New defensive coordinator John Chavis will be implementing his 4-3 defense that he has had moderate success with at three other SEC schools. This defense will be set around pass rushers Randy Ramsey, McTelvin Agim, and Gabe Richardson, who will be relied upon heavily to create havoc up the middle. The secondary returns several starters; captain Santos Ramirez headlines the group as he makes a switch from strong safety to free safety. The Razorbacks were last in the SEC in sacks and tackles for losses, so with a veteran group of coverage personal, hopefully they will be able to cover long enough to allow the pressure to get to the quarterback and get Arkansas out from the bottom of those two categories.
Key Losses:
RB David Williams, QB Austin Allen, DL Josh Liddell
The team lost their top rusher and passer from this past year, but do return 17 of 22 starters. There seems to be enough people coming back, especially in new systems on both sides of the ball, that these losses will not effect the team as much as others.
Five Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Connelly): 32
It usually takes a coach three years to get his guys in that he sees fit the schemes he believes in. With a new coaching staff, along with a new style of offense, it will be interesting to see what direction Morris takes the Hogs in recruiting. He is gonna need to trim the fat on some of these players in order to be able to keep the tempo he wants his offense playing at.
Alcohol Prediction for Fans By Seasons End: Woo-Woo Pig Cocktail
Give me a Woo-Woo Pig Cocktail and give me it now. Absolutely no idea what is in it, but it looks pretty tasty.
The Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team:
De’Jon “Scoota” Harris, when they put your nickname in Phil Steel’s College Football preview, how can you not pick it?
Outlook: Taking a peek at their schedule, their crossover games with Vanderbilt and Missouri are two that are very winnable, especially having Vanderbilt at home. Their non-conference games include Eastern Illinois, @ Colorado State, North Texas, and Tulsa, which all should end up as wins for them. The Razorbacks need to find 2 wins in SEC play to make a bowl game and one of them will have to be an upset. I do see them getting one upset, ending the season 6-6, and making a bowl game in Chad Morris’ first year.
