Page 5 - 2018 Arkansas Football

Sunday, August 26, 2018
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
5K
v Continued from previous page
and walk-ons Tobias Enlow and Tyson Morris. Transfer Chase Harrell was off to a strong start in camp before a tight ham- string slowed him down.
Allotting playing time in what should be a deep rotation that also includes Jarrod Barnes, Koilan Jackson and true freshman Mike Woods will not be easy.
Chavis inherited the nation’s 101st- ranked defense, which allowed 438 yards per game in 2017 and has been vulnera- ble against the run in recent seasons. The Razorbacks ranked 97th with 196 rushing yards allowed per game, 92nd with 242 passing yards per game, and 114th in scor- ing defense, giving up 36.2 points per game.
There are veterans across all levels of the defense, which gives the Razorbacks a chance to make a swift turnaround.
Junior linebacker De’Jon Harris said the arrival of Morris and Chavis was right for the Hogs, “especially after the season we had. There was a lot of down with this team, you know, sad faces walking around.
“Plus it was a longer offseason for us than we normally have. The energy they came in with and the things they came in and demanded, it kind of just brought us up to our feet and got us back with a chip on our shoulder for the season.”
The defensive front in Chavis’ return to a base 4-3 front was deep enough to send Deion Malone and Capps to the offensive line. Agim is expected to start at one tack- le spot in a rotation that also includes T.J.
"The energy they
came in with and the
things they came in and
demanded, it kind of just
brought us up to our feet
and got us back with a
chip on our shoulder for
the season.”
De'Jon Harris (right), on Arkansas’ new staff
Smith, Armon Watts, Jonathan Marshall, Guidry and Isaiah Nichols. Agim also can work on the outside.
The Razorbacks expect to have upgrad- ed pressure packages, with ends Randy Ramsey, Gabe Richardson, Jamario Bell, Dorian Gerald and Michael Taylor in key roles, and true freshman Nick Fulwider on an arc toward playing time.
The linebacking crew, led by Harris and senior Dre Greenlaw, is projected to show a semblance of depth that has eluded the unit for many years. Hayden Henry, Grant Morgan, Dee Walker, freshman Bumper Pool and possibly others are expected to
NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE
give the two mainstays more breathers. The secondary has a load of experi- enced players, even with sixth-year defen- sive back Kevin Richardson expected to
miss a couple of games after foot surgery. Cornerback Ryan Pulley returns after surgery on his pectoral muscle after one game in 2017, and he’ll pair with sopho- more Chevin Calloway. If those two, along with backup help from Britto Tutt, Jarques McClellion, Montaric Brown and freshman LaDarrius Bishop, can hold up in man cov- erage, Chavis is expected to get funky with
his pressure calls.
Senior safety Santos Ramirez and Kam-
ren Curl, an 11-game starter at corner after Pulley’s injury last year, lead the crew at safety, which also includes Micahh Smith and freshmen Joe Foucha and Myles Ma- son.
The nickel position, where Richardson has patrolled much of the past three years, is expected to get plenty of playing time, with 24-year-old sophomore D’Vone Mc- Clure, Derrick Munson and Nate Dalton the leaders at that spot.
Limpert and Johnson were expected to be pushed for their jobs in camp. From a returns standpoint, Warren is back after ranking second among all NCAA freshmen and 11th overall with a kickoff return aver- age of 26.4 yards.
Cornelius, Stewart and Barnes looked like the top punt return options midway through camp.
The schedule is unchanging as far as the six games against SEC West competition goes, but finding a path to bowl eligibility is not impossible.
The Razorbacks’ marquee nonconfer- ence game is at Colorado State, which lost key offensive personnel, in Week 2, and their crossover games in the SEC are against Vanderbilt and Missouri, teams who went a combined 12-13 last year.
Arkansas has SEC home games against Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and LSU. The Hogs are the road team for their neu- tral site game against Texas A&M, and the true road team at Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri.
4524 MacArthur Dr.
www.arkansasyamaha.com
Open Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm • Saturday 8 am - 4 pm
†Customer Cash good on select models through 9/30/18. **Purchase a new 2018 Yamaha Kodiak 700 through 9/30/18 and receive an 18 month Y.E.S. (Yamaha Extended Ser- vice) Contract for a total of 2 years Genuine Yamaha Coverage. Includes 6 month Factory Warranty + 18 month Y.E.S. Or 2000 lb. Vantage Winch with mounting kit offer available through participating Yamaha dealers only. Dealer participation may affect this offer. Installation not included. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Dealer remains responsible for complying with all local and state advertising regulations and laws. ATVs shown are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. Read the Owner’s Manual and the product warning labels before operation. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix; avoid excessive speed; and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Some models shown with optional accessories. ©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaOutdoors.com