Projected Starting Lineup
**=Returning Starter
Offense
QB: KJ Jefferson, RS Sophomore
RB: Trelon Smith, RS Junior
WR1: *Treylon Burks, Junior*
WR2: Trey Knox, Junior
WR3: De’Vion Warren, Senior
TE: *Hudson Henry, RS Sophomore*
LT: *Myron Cunningham, RS Senior*
LG: Brady Latham, RS Sophomore
C: *Ricky Stromberg, Junior*
RG: *Ty Clary, RS Senior*
RT: Dalton Wagner, RS Senior
Defense
DE: Eric Gregory, RS Sophomore
DT: Jaelen Williams, Junior
DT: Isaiah Nichols, RS Junior
DE: Nicholas Fulwider, RS Junior
OLB: Dorian Gerald, RS Senior
MLB: *Grant Morgan, RS Senior*
OLB: *Bumper Pool, Senior*
CB: LaDarrius Bishop, RS Junior
CB: Trent Gordon, RS Junior
SS: *Jalen Catalon, RS Sophomore*
FS: *Joe Foucha, RS Senior*
Special Teams
K: Cameron Little, Freshman
P: Sam Loy, RS Senior
KR: De’Vion Warren, Senior
PR: Treylon Burks, Junior
Returning Production:
On offense, the return of all starting receivers Treylon Burks, Mike Woods, and De’Vion Warren is huge (Note: Mike Woods has since transferred to Oklahoma). Linebackers Grant Morgan and Bumper Pool are the heart soul of a defense that should be fun to watch again in 2021. Talented safety Jalen Catalon returns as well.
New Starters:
KJ Jefferson replaces former Florida grad transfer Feleipe Franks. Jefferson was phenomenal in the Missouri game when Franks was hurt. Trelon Smith paces the running game after getting starting minutes a season ago with Rakeem Boyd’s lack of minutes due to injury. A young defensive line and defensive backfield are reasons to be concerned in 2021 in Fayetteville.
Schedule Preview
Rice (9/4)
Arkansas needs an easy win to open their season. They should get one. Projected Score: Arkansas 42, Rice 20
Texas (9/11)
With new head coach Steve Sarkisian and lots of returning talent, the Texas faithful should expect a pretty good season from their team. Arkansas will challenge Texas and if they can get their offense going, it should be a great game. Projected Score: Texas 20, Arkansas 17
Georgia Southern (9/18)
While I can see people thinking Arkansas will overlook these non conference teams, Sam Pittman will not let this team overlook opponents. Hogs win big. Projected Score: Arkansas 38, Georgia Southern 17
vs.Texas A&M (Arlington) (9/25)
Texas A&M is Alabama’s biggest challenge in the SEC West. But, historically Arkansas has played A&M well despite losing every contest to the Aggies since they joined the SEC. Projected Score: Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 20
at.Georgia (10/2)
Sam Pittman and the hogs heads to face-off against his last old team. Arkansas played Georgia close in 2020 but with Georgia finding QB JT Daniels, it will be tough for a young Arkansas defense to counter. Projected Score: Georgia 38, Arkansas 21
at.Ole Miss (10/9)
Arkansas turned Ole Miss over seven times in 2020. Ole Miss should and probably will have a chip on their shoulder to come out and win this game. Arkansas’ offense will have to be clicking on all cylinders in Oxford to match scores on every possession by Ole Miss’ awesome offense. Projected Score: Ole Miss 55, Arkansas 42
Auburn (10/16)
Similar to Ole Miss, Arkansas should be hungry to host Auburn who got away with a call late in their win over Arkansas in 2020. Auburn’s new head coach Bryan Harsin should bring in a fun offense for the Tigers but Arkansas should have a good chance to win this game. Projected Score: Arkansas 21, Auburn 13
UAPB (Little Rock) (10/23)
Arkansas’ first game versus an instate team in awhile is going to be played in the state’s capital. Hogs get tested early but get a win before returning home to face Mississippi State. Projected Score: Arkansas 45, UAPB 13
Mississippi State (11/6)
Mississippi State upset LSU in week 1 last season before running into Arkansas in week 2. The hogs got their first SEC win in 17 chances with a W in Starkville. Projected Score: Arkansas 24, Mississippi State 21
at.LSU (11/13)
Arkansas played LSU close in their game last season but LSU will be much better than their 5-5 finish a season ago. Plus, they get to host this one in Death Valley. Projected Score: LSU 34, Arkansas 24
at.Alabama (11/20)
Alabama will not be stopped in this game. Projected Score: Alabama 42, Arkansas 27
Missouri (11/26)
Missouri made a comeback to beat Arkansas to continue a long winning streak in the series. But, I see KJ Jefferson and the wide receiving core of the hogs winning another high-scoring battle. Projected Score: Arkansas 45, Missouri 42
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5) SEC
Incoming 2021 Recruits (per 247sports)
163.Ketron Jackson, WR, Royse City,TX Royse City
185.AJ Green, RB, Tulsa,OK Union
285.Raheim Sanders, ATH, Rockledge,FL Rockledge
398.Terry Wells, OT, Wynne,AR Wynne
493.Javion Hunt, RB, Oklahoma City,OK Carl Albert
494.Cameron Ball, OT, Atlanta,GA Tri-Cities
12.Jalen Williams, DT, Jones College Ellisville,MS
526.Keuan Parker, CB, Booker T. Washington Tulsa,OK
721.Lucas Coley, QB, San Antonio,TX Cornerstone Christian
NA.Landon Rogers, QB, Little Rock,AR Parkview Magnet
