2024 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview

Image Courtesy: The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sam Pittman’s job will be on the line when the Razorbacks’ season begins in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium on Thursday, August 29th against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. With the infamous Bobby Petrino now back in Fayetteville next to Pittman as his offensive coordinator, the Razorbacks offense is expected to be much better than it was in 2023 under Dan Enos. With multi-year Razorbacks (QB) KJ Jefferson (UCF) and (RB) Rocket Sanders (South Carolina) transferred out, and with former Boise State QB Taylen Green and former Utah RB Ja’Quinden Jackson replacing them, the Arkansas offense moves on with one of the most experienced receiving cores in the SEC back in the fold. It will be up to the the hiring of new offensive line coach Eric Mateos to improve the worst unit on the the 2023 Razorback football team. On the other side of the ball, Arkansas lost many defenders to the transfer portal. Pittman and defensive coordinator Travis Williams remedied that by landing depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Arkansas’ special teams lost an important piece in kicker Cam Little, who has moved onto the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So questions need to be answered there. Can Arkansas football turn it around in 2024 or will Sam Pittman will be fired? We will find ojt those answers this fall.

Multiple Game Previews (to be hyperlinked when each post is published)
6/22 UAPB, Oklahoma State, UAB, Louisiana Tech
6/29 Auburn, Texas A&M
7/13 Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State
7/20 Ole Miss, Texas, Missouri

Projected Depth Chart

QB
Starter
Taylen Green, Junior (RS)
Bench
Malachi Singleton, Freshman (RS)
KJ Jackson, Freshman
Austin Ledbetter, Freshman (RS)
Blake Boda, Freshman (RS)
With KJ Jefferson out, Bobby Petrino quickly filled his spot with Taylen Green, the former Boise State signal-caller. Green struggled with turning the ball over but did lead the Broncos to a Mountain West Championship over former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom and UNLV. Green quickly turned heads in Fayetteville, being named the starting quarterback by Pittman and Petrino leading up to the spring game. He impressed in the spring game, throwing multiple touchdowns and showing his acumen on the ground with former Razorback QB Matt Jones like size. Behind Green, there is a lot of inexperience in the quarterback room. Second year Malachi Singleton looks like the clear second option behind Taylen while freshman KJ Jackson from Alabama, former Razorback pitcher Austin Ledbetter, and former Coastal Carolina QB Blake Boda fill out the rest of the room.

RB
Starter
Ja’Quinden Jackson, Senior
Bench
Rashod Dubinion, Junior
Braylen Russell, Freshman
Rodney Hill, Junior (RS)
Tyrell Reed, Junior
Jadan Baugh, Freshman
After talented recruiter and running backs coach Jimmy Smith exited Arkansas to go to TCU for the same job, Ja’Quinden Jackson emerged as the starting tailback for the Razorbacks after transferring from a respected Utah program coached by Kyle Whittingham. Jackson’s 2023 season was riddled with injuries but in 2022, Jackson had an incredible 2022 season. Arkansas lost four year running back Dominique Johnson to TCU and one year Isaiah Augustave to Colorado after Jackson proved himself as the starter during the spring. Second string running back Rashod Dubinion told Razorback fans that he would never enter the transfer portal, proving his loyalty to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Tremendous freshman running back Braylen Russell should be third string while new running backs coach Kolby Smith landed veteran transfers Rodney Hill from Florida State and Tyrell Reed from Hutchinson Community College. With freshman Jadan Baugh in the fold too, the post coach Jimmy Smith era of the Razorback running back room will begin.

WR
Starters
Slot: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore (RS)
Outside: Andrew Armstrong, Super Senior (RS)
Outside: Tyrone Broden, Super Senior (RS)
Bench
Isaac TeSlaa, Super Senior
Jaedon Wilson, Junior (RS)
Bryce Stephens, Junior (RS)
Jaedon Wilson, Junior (RS)
Monte Harrison, Freshman
Khafre Brown, Junior
Jordan Anthony, Sophomore
Dazmin James, Sophomore
CJ Brown, Freshman
Arkansas returns almost all of its receiving production from a season ago with elite offensive mind Bobby Petrino back in Fayetteville. Petrino knows how to get receivers open and Sam Pittman should let him have full control of the offense so that he can get his receivers wide open for Taylen Green to hit down the field. Andrew Armstrong, who led the team in receiving yards and TDs in 2023, Tyrone Broden, Isaiah Sategna, Isaac TeSlaa, Jaedon Wilson, Bryce Stephens, and Dazmin James all back in Fayetteville for another season, the Razorbacks should be able to get the ball down the field unlike they were last season. Petrino also helped Arkansas land former Texas A&M receiver Jordan Anthony, former South Florida receiver Khafre Brown, and former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison for depth at this position too.

TE
Starter
Luke Hasz, Sophomore
Bench
Tyrus Washington, Sophomore (RS)
Francis Sherman, Super Senior
Var’Keyes Gumms, Junior (RS)
Shamar Easter, Freshman (RS)
Luke Hasz was on his way to a terrific freshman campaign in 2023 before getting injured in Arlington against Texas A&M. With Bobby Petrino as his offensive coordinator, Hasz has a chance to be an All-SEC tight end for the Razorbacks next to a veteran receiving core. Former North Texas transfer Var’Keyes Gumms, Tyrus Washington, Francis Sherman, and Shamar Easter serve as great depth behind Hasz as both blockers and receiving options.

OL
Starters
LT: Fernando Carmona, Junior (RS)
LG: Brady Latham, Super Senior (RS)
OC: Addison Nichols, Sophomore (RS)
RG: Joshua Braun, Senior (RS)
RT: Keyshawn Blackstock, Junior (RS)
Bench
Joe More, Senior (RS)
Andrew Chamblee, Sophomore (RS)
Cole Carson, Junior (RS)
Patrick Kutas, Junior
Amaury Wiggins, Junior (RS)
Josh Street, Junior (RS)
Patrick Kutas, Sophomore
Ty’Kieast Crawford, Super Senior
Paris Patterson, Freshman (RS)
Terry Wells, Junior (RS)
E’Marion Harris, Sophomore (RS)
Zuri Madison, Freshman
Kobe Branham, Freshman
With former Arkansas grad assistant and Baylor offensive line coach Eric Mateos replacing Cody Kennedy as the offensive coordinator, vast improvement must be made for the Razorbacks to take a step forward from their 4-8 campaign a season ago. With Beaux Limmer being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, San José State transfer Fernando Carmona is slated to take over as left tackle, former Tennessee Volunteer Addison Nichols is expected to be in the middle at center, and Michigan State transfer Keyshawn Blackstock will likely be at right tackle. Left guard Brady Latham and right guard Joshua Braun should start in his second season since transferring from Florida.

DL
Starters
DE: Landon Jackson, Senior
DT: Cam Ball, Junior (RS)
DT: Eric Gregory, Senior (RS)
DE: Anton Juncaj, Junior
Bench
Nico Davillier, Junior
Danny Saili, Junior
JJ Hollingsworth, Sophomore (RS)
Ian Geffrard, Freshman (RS)
Kavion Henderson, Freshman
Charleston Collins, Freshman
The Razorback defensive line lost a ton of top end depth following the 2023 season. However, when pre-season All-SEC defensive end Landon Jackson announced he would return for his senior season, Arkansas had a cornerstone they could build around on defense. Anton Juncaj, a star at Albany, then announced his transfer commitment to Arkansas, joining Cam Ball and Eric Gregory on the defensive line. Nico Davilier and Danny Saili will be quality veteran depth but it will be up to younger players like JJ Hollingsworth, Ian Geffrard, Kavion Henderson, and Charleston Collins to make this group look excellent on the field this fall.

LB
Starters
Xavian Sorey, Sophomore (RS)
Brad Spence, Sophomore
Bench
Stephen Dix Jr., Junior (RS)
Anthony Switzer, Junior
Larry Worth III, Junior
Kaden Henley, Sophomore (RS)
Alex Sanford, Sophomore
Carson Dean, Freshman (RS)
Bradley Shaw, Freshman
Justin Logan, Freshman
Wyatt Simmons, Freshman
A big judgement of second year defensive coordinator Travis Williams will be how his linebacker room is after they lost Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin) to transfer and Antonio Grier, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey is a huge addition to help replace Paul and Thomas’ impressive production. Beyond that, returning sophomore Brad Spence showed flashes of great play during his freshman season while incoming transfers Stephen Dix Jr., Larry Worth, and Anthony Switzer are huge depth additions.

Secondary
Starters
CB: Jaylon Braxton, Sophomore
CB: Kee’yon Stewart, Senior
FS: Hudson Clark, Super Senior (RS)
SS: Jayden Johnson, Senior
NB: Doneiko Slaughter, Senior
Bench
AJ Brathwaite Jr., Senior (RS)
Miguel Mitchell, Junior
TJ Metcalf, Sophomore
Dylan Hasz, Sophomore
RJ Johnson, Freshman (RS)
Dallas Young, Freshman (RS)
Selman Bridges, Freshman
Jaden Allen, Freshman
Tevis Metcalf, Freshman
Ahkari Johnson, Freshman
If Jaylon Braxton’s phenomenal freshman season continues into his sophomore year, I expect good things from the cornerbacks even after losing Dwight McGlothern signing with the Minnesota Vikings and and Alfahiym Walcott with the Buffalo Bills. Hudson Clark and Jayden Johnson both return at safety along with the addition of veteran Tennessee nickleback Doneiko Slaughter. Senior AJ Brathwaite Jr., sophomore TJ Metcalf, and high-end four-star cornerback Selman Bridges are names to watch as the season goes along to play game time in the SEC.

Special Teams
Starters
Kicker: Matthew Shipley, Super Senior
Punter: Devin Bale, Junior
Kick-Off: Tyler Larco, Senior (RS)
Long Snapper: Eli Stein, Junior
Kick Returner: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore
Punt Returner: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore
Special teams coordinator Scott Fountain must replace the best kicker in school history Cam Little, after he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Matthew Shipley will look to replace him. Punter Max Fletcher transferred to Cincinnati after an up and down 2023 season so Devin Bale will likely step into that spot. It will be Tyler Larco on kick-off, Eli Stein, and the speedy Isaiah Sategna returning kicks and punts for the Razorbacks.

Incoming 2024 Class (via 247sports)
94.Charleston Collins (#18DL) Little Rock, AR Wilbur D. Mills HS
101.Bradley Shaw (#8LB) Hoover, AL Hoover HS
111.Selman Bridges (#10CB) Temple, TX Lake Belton HS
KJ Jackson (#15QB) Montgomery, AL St. James School
Braylen Russell (#24RB) Benton, AR Benton HS
Kavion Henderson (#44DL) Leeds, AL Leeds HS
Justin Logan (#42LB) Marietta, GA Kell HS
Tevis Metcalf (#44ATH) Pinson, AL Clay-Chakville HS
Julius Pope (#45ATH) Batesville, MS South Panola HS
CJ Brown (#95ATH) Bentonville, AR Bentonville HS
Zuri Madison (#38IOL) Lexington, KY Frederick Douglass HS
Wyatt Simmons (#54LB) Searcy, AR Harding Academy
Jaden Allen (#91CB) Aledo, TX Aledo HS
Ahkhari Johnson (#95CB) Texarkana, TX Pleasant Grove HS
Kobe Branham (#100IOL) Fortsmith, AR Southside HS
Jeremy Cook (#162S) Hoover, AL Hoover HS
Krosse Johnson (WR) New Orleans, LA Holy Cross HS
Monte Harrison (WR) Lee’s Summit, MO Lee’s Summit West HS (Walk-On)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
60.RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, Senior Previous School: Utah
121.LB Xavian Sorey, Sophomore (RS) Previous School: Georgia
131.DE Anton Juncaj, Junior Previous School: Albany
241.OG Addison Nichols, Sophomore (RS) Previous School: Tennessee
310.Keyshawn Blackstock, Junior (RS) Previous School: Michigan State
328.OT Fernando Carmona, Junior (RS) Previous School: San José State
568.QB Taylen Green, Junior (RS) Previous School: Boise State
594.CB Doneiko Slaughter, Super Senior Previous School: Tennessee
647.WR Jordan Anthony, Sophomore Previous School: Texas A&M
654.CB Marquise Robinson, Junior Previous School: South Alabama
681.S Miguel Mitchell, Junior Previous School: Florida
688.RB Rodney Hill, Junior (RS) Previous School: Florida State
713.LB Larry Worth III, Junior Previous School: Jacksonville State
767.LB Anthony Switzer, Senior Previous School: Utah State
786.DL Danny Saili, Junior Previous School: BYU
858.TE Andreas Paske, Senior Previous School: Eastern Michigan
1168.LB Stephen Dix Jr., Junior (RS) Previous School: Marshall
1617.QB Blake Boda, Freshman (RS) Previous School: Coastal Carolina
NR.P/K Matthew Shipley, Super Senior Previous School: Hawaii
NR.OL Joe More, Senior (RS) Previous School: Syracuse
NR.RB Tyrell Reed, Junior Previous School: Hutchinson CC
NR.WR Khafre Brown, Junior Previous School: South Florida
NR.K Kyle Ramsey, Senior (RS) Previous School: Abilene Christian

2024 Schedule Projections
8/29 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Little Rock) Win
9/7 @ Oklahoma State Loss
9/14 Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) (Family Weekend) Win
9/21 @ Auburn Loss
9/28 Texas A&M (Arlington) Loss
10/5 Tennessee Loss
10/12 Off
10/19 LSU (Homecoming) Loss
10/26 @ Mississippi State Win
11/2 Ole Miss Win
11/9 Off
11/16 Texas Win
11/23 Louisiana Tech (Senior Day; Military Appreciation Game) Win
11/30 @ Missouri Win
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5) SEC