FAYETTEVILLE — It was a cloudy day with gray skies leaking through that didn't dampen the excitement for the Arkansas Razorbacks' first day of spring football Thursday.
The University of Arkansas practiced for more than two hours wearing shorts and helmets inside Walker Pavilion, and had a strenuous practice with intense competition for position taking place outside.
“It was a lot of fun,” returning defensive end and captain Landon Jackson said. “I felt like both teams were flying around and running at full speed and looking good.”
Junior transfer Tyren Green will be in charge of the first offense every game, and the 6-6, 229-pounder will look to that role, joining veteran receivers Andrew Armstrong, Tyrone Broden, Jadon Wilson and Tight. Looks like he found the best combination with End's Luke. Husband.
Redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton acted as quarterback for the second group and had the most successful two-minute drill, capping off the game with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Valkies Gumbs.
Returning junior JaColby Criswell led the third offensive unit and showed good opportunities, especially with a sharp performance during the early “fastball start” section of the workout.
True freshman quarterback KJ Jackson didn't tap into his fastball, but the 6-3, 223-pound lefty impressed onlookers with his huge arm and agility. .
Armstrong said the Razorbacks have done a good job of moving meeting sessions, walk-throughs and winter practices to the turf for Opening Day.
“Everything feels smooth,” Armstrong said. “Everything feels right as far as the O-line, receivers and quarterback. It's a battle with everyone.”
The quarterback position is sure to be in the spotlight from the first 15 days of the spring through the summer and into camp leading up to the season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Aug. 31.
“We've been throwing all winter break, after practice, before practice, getting up early and trying to get the timing right,” Armstrong said of his quarterbacks and receivers. “Now the battle is on. I'm sure by the end of the spring they'll probably have some idea about it, but right now it's all up in the air.”
Senior receiver Isaac Tesla may have made the best catch of the day. During the team period, he connected on a deep ball from Singleton to the right side that was covered by transfer cornerback Marquise Robinson.
But there were also many notable catches. Green threw a perfect deep ball down the left sideline that fell into the arms of Broden while the defensive back covered him with a blanket. Later, the same duo scored with Robinson in coverage, but the great catch was wasted as Broden was taken wide.
The two-minute drill started with the first offense being held back inside the 10-yard line and heading to the 32-yard line with 38 seconds left, one timeout remaining and a touchdown needed for the win.
Senior safety Jayden Johnson broke up a green pass to Hass on first down and nearly intercepted it. Green then found Wilson on the right side for a solid gain, and the first unit completed another pass to take the ball to about the 6-yard line. On the final play of the sequence, Hasz caught a pass that went wide on the sideline in front of the end zone, but it appeared to be called incomplete.
On the second unit, Singleton made a deep throw to Gumbs on the first snap, and Keyon Stewart nearly picked it off. Singleton scrambled for 8 yards, was tagged by linebacker Alex Sanford, and Isaiah Sategna caught a 20-yard pass to the 8. Robinson tangled with Davion Dozier on the next play and made a powerful one-handed interception in the end zone. . Officials at the scene suspected Robinson of interference, but the call could have gone either way. On the next snap, Gumbs found space on a crossing route and Singleton scored a 2-yard touchdown.
Bentonville High School's CJ Young made a 17-yard reception from Criswell to begin a two-minute three-shot drill. After a pass breakup by Jaden Allen, Criswell found running back Dominique Johnson for an 8-yard checkdown to the 14.
Defensive end Kavion Henderson got loose on the next snap and made a 10-yard “sack” on Criswell, setting up a fourth down. Criswell took a shot from the left side, but Young was unable to keep the pass and was unable to close out the game.
