by Chris Paschal

7^th–SEC West

Fayetteville, AR | D.W. Reynolds (81,000) | 2017 Record: 4-8 (1-7)

Things got ugly last year for Brett Bielema and the Arkansas Razorbacks. The defense was horrific, the offense was pedestrian, and the quarterback position was a huge disappointment. Much of this team returns from last year, however, and new head coach Chad Morris has brought some energy and life back into this program. And it’s not surprising why. Chad Morris, once the former Offensive Coordinator at Clemson before leading SMU for the past three seasons, has developed quite the reputation as not only a recruiter (he’s widely considered the reason Deshaun Watson chose Clemson), but also as quite the rebuilder.

Chad Morris enters his first season at Arkansas. Image from USA Today.

When Morris showed up at SMU, the Mustangs looked more like donkeys. In the three seasons that Morris was at SMU, he took one of the worst college football teams in the country (1-11 in 2014) he willed, coached, and rebuilt SMU into not only a dynamic offensive football team, but a bowl eligible one as well. Can the Texas native do the same at Arkansas? I think he can, and it will start in 2018.

Offense 

Quarterbacks: You never want to see a promising, productive, senior quarterback battle through a shoulder injury throughout a football season, but that is exactly what happened to former Razorback legend Austin Allen. The Allen brothers led Arkansas to a lot of wins during their reign in Fayeteville, but that era started to slip away last year, ended by a big Louisianan (6-7, 265) by the name of Cole Kelley.  But Kelley isn’t exactly a perfect fit for Chad Morris’s up-tempo, spread attack that Deshaun Watson mastered at Clemson. Kelley, not surprisingly, has a massive arm that can reach all parts of the field, but he isn’t the most accurate. In fact, the only games where he looked comfortable were against Ole Miss and Coastal Carolina.

Kelley is one of the largest QB’s in all of college football. Image from USA Today.

However, he is only a sophomore this season, meaning he is young and (possibly) willing to adapt. If he can show some playmaking ability (or just a little mobility) and improve in his decision making, Kelley is the clear choice to win the starting job. Pushing Kelley will be junior Ty Storey (6-2, 220), who is built a little more like a Chad Morris quarterback but has yet to complete a pass in an Arkansas jersey, and true freshman Connor Noland, a four-star prospect who chose Arkansas over Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Penn State.

Running Back: It’s weird to think that Arkansas will have a fine offensive backfield this season after losing both David Williams and Rawleigh Williams from last year’s team. Of course, Rawleigh Williams tragically had to retire from football after a severe neck injury, and David Williams exhausted his eligibility after leading the Razorbacks in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season.

So why the optimism? Because Chad Morris likes backs like Devwah Whaley, hard runners with a low center of gravity who accelerate through the line of scrimmage. At Clemson, he featured both Andre Ellington (5-11, 199) and Roderick McDowell (5-9, 195), and at SMU he rushed Xavier Jones (5-10, 205) over one thousand yards last year while spelling Jones with both Ke’Mon Freeman (5-11, 207) and Braeden West (5-10, 175). Waley matches that build (5-11, 215) and possesses the explosiveness needed to have a big year in Chad Morris’s system. Behind Waley, both Chase Hayden (5-10, 190) and T.J. Hammonds (5-10, 200) have the experience and talent needed to carry the rock in this offense. Let’s not forget JUCO transfer, Rakeem Boyd (6-0, 200) either.

Wide Receiver: Everyone is back, which is neither a good thing or a bad thing. The good news is that there is plenty of experience and maturity in this position group, but the God’s-honest truth is that none of these guys are superstars. Don’t get me wrong, this group isn’t as bad as Vanderbilt’s, but not a single defensive coordinator is going to lose sleep at night trying to think of how his defense will stop Jonathan Nance (6-0, 190) or Deon Stewart (5-11, 161).  La’Michael Pettway (6-2, 225) will present a big, physical target, and true freshman Mike Woods (6-1, 190) will probably get some playing time after following Morris from SMU to Arkansas. Jared Cornelius (5-11, 203) also comes back after tearing his achilles early last season.

La’Michael Pettway (left) and Jared Cornelius both return in 2018. Image from USA Today.

Offensive Line: For a couple of years, this was the best position group on this roster, and one of the best position groups in the SEC. These guys were monsters. Some of them close to seven feet tall and others well over 350 pounds, and I am not kidding. Further, the Hogs lost one of the SEC’s best offensive lineman last year in Frank Ragnow. How will they compete in the trenches of the SEC West with a completely different philosophy? These guys were recruited to run smash mouth, corn-fed, power football, but now they are being asked to run an up-tempo offense. I can’t imagine tackle Brian Wallace (6-6, 325) and guard Johnny Gibson (6-4, 345) are the type of guys needed to run an up-tempo, zone style rushing attack, so expect the offensive line to struggle to adapt to Morris’ new system.

The line could struggle with the new up tempo offense. Image from Whole Hog Sports.

Defense

Defensive Line: The “Chief,” John Chavis, takes over as the Razorback’s defensive coordinator, which is good news for a defense that got whipped all of last season. Chavis is widely considered one of the greatest defensive minds/coaches/coordinators in college football history. However, that and a couple bucks will get you a cup of coffee in the SEC West. Chavis always coaches his defensive line to be a nasty, relentless, aggressive group that wears out opposing offenses by the fourth quarter. He will miss not having Bijhon Jackson (a senior last year who weighed in at 330 pounds) at his disposal. Yet, how he utilizes former five-star talent McTelvin Agim will be something to keep an eye on. Agim (6-3, 280) came into Fayeteville with a lot of hype as he chose the Hogs over almost every SEC school and every Texas school. He hasn’t been a disappointment, but pushed and coached correctly, this guy is an All-American.

McTelvin Agim will look to have a monster year. Image from 247 Sports.

The Razorbacks have several solid players along this front, including Randy Ramsey, Gabe Richardson, Michael Taylor, Austin Capps, T.J. Smith, and Briston Guidry. But if they don’t produce to the Chief’s satisfaction, don’t be surprised if some of the new guys get thrown in there, including Dorian Gerald, a heavily recruited JUCO defensive end that has the size, speed, and talent to be an elite edge rusher. Gerald is the future at that position. It is not a matter of if, but when.

Linebacker: Not a lot of proven depth, but some solid starters should be the story for the Hogs this year. De’Jon Harris returns at middle linebacker where he led the team in tackles last season, and Dre Greenlaw, second on the team in tackles, returns at weakside backer. My candidate to win the strongside spot is true freshman Bumper Pool. He enrolled early and he has the size (6-2, 220) needed to man the position. Pool was a big-time prospect in high school. Arkansas beat out Alabama at Signing Day for the Lucas, Texas product. Start the kid.

Defensive Backs: Chavis’s defensive scheme of relentless pressure and superb defensive line play should help Arkansas recover from a mediocre season in pass defense. Arkansas has to replace cornerback Henre’ Toliver who was tied on the team for interceptions, but virtually everyone else returns. Santos Ramirez is the type of player Chavis loves. He’s big (6-2, 200), physical, and loves to mix it up. I look for him to have a big season not only in run defense, but in forcing turnovers, as well. Ryan Pulley returns from injury as he tries to make his senior season his best. In his sophomore season, Pulley picked off two passes (returning one for a touchdown) and recorded 12 pass deflections. Like the other two defensive position groups, it isn’t really a question of the starters. But more a question of is there quality depth behind the starters.

Santos Ramirez is as physical as it gets. Image from Whole Hog Sports.

Special Teams

Both the kicker and the punter return, which is good news regarding the former, but not so good news regarding the latter. Arkansas kicker Connor Limpert missed just one field goal last year, while Razorback punter Blake Johnson averaged just under 39 yards per punt.  The SEC West is all about field position, so hopefully Johnson has progressed this off-season.

Coaching Staff

Chad Morris was hired for two reasons: score points and recruit the state of Texas. I am confident he will score some points, but I would put my mortgage down that he will recruit the state of Texas. Chad Morris worked his way up the coaching rankings, coaching the state of Texas. During his time in Texas, Chad Morris hit Eustace High (East Texas), Elysian Fields High (East Texas), Bay City High (South of Houston), Stephenville High (North Central Texas – West of Dallas), and Lake Travis High (Central Texas). He made a lot of connections with high school principals, coaches, and boosters throughout some hotbed recruiting areas in the state. He put those connections to work while rebuilding SMU, and he will do it again at Arkansas. When Arkansas is playing their best football, their roster is made up almost exclusively of natives from Arkansas and Texas. Do not be surprised if over 90% of Morris’s 2019 recruiting class hailed from those two states. Joe Craddock will join Chad Morris in running the offense. John Chavis will attempt to work some of his defensive magic for the Hogs.

Biggest Strength: Running Back- Bizarre considering the fact that Arkansas has lost so much at this position. Yet, Chad Morris will love this backfield this season. Morris runs a very balanced offense. However, don’t be surprised if he leans on this stable of backs in year one.

Biggest Weakness: Wide Receiver – Part of the reason why Clemson and later SMU were so balanced is because they got production from the receiving corps. That won’t happen this year. When Arkansas’s best receiver’s only other offers out of JUCO were Colorado State, UL-Monroe, and Troy, I get nervous.

Offensive, Defensive, and Freshman Players of the Year

 Offensive: Devah Whaley. He will rush for over 1,000 yards this season. Morris will feature him early and often in games that he needs to establish the run (every SEC game). So it goes without saying that Whaley will be the player of the year.

Defensive: Santos Ramirez. You won’t see this prediction anywhere else, but I think the senior safety makes a lot of plays in the secondary this season. McTelvin Agim, Ryan Pulley and some of the veteran linebackers may have a say in this award, but Ramirez wins this one with over 60 tackles and three interceptions.

Freshman: Bumper Pool. He may not start, but he is going to get a lot of playing time. He addresses a need (a big backer that can play both middle and strongside). Plus he is talented, a missing piece on this Arkansas roster.

Schedule Breakdown and Projected Wins and Losses

Win – Eastern Illinois

Win – At Colorado State

Win – North Texas

At Auburn – Loss

Texas A&M (in Arlington) – Loss

Alabama – Loss

Ole Miss – Loss

Win – Tulsa

Win – Vanderbilt

Win – LSU

At Mississippi State – Loss

At Missouri – Loss

Final Record: 6-6 (2-6)

The Final Word

This roster with a new head coach, a new offensive and defensive scheme has no business making it to a bowl game. But the schedule has a few breaks. First, the first three games should be easy wins. Second, Tulsa and Vanderbilt are both home games. Third, LSU comes to Fayetteville right after what will be another emotional, physical loss to Alabama. I think Arkansas steals one. It will be senior night. Arkansas will be hot coming off of two losses. And LSU will not be able to generate enough points (21) to win this game. It will be one of the most shocking upsets in the SEC. And maybe be the signature win that helps Chad Morris sign a solid recruiting class heading into 2019.