Five things I liked from the Spring Game, and four things I didn’t

Arkansas’s football team will have so many new faces next year. From coordinators to the players, it nearly looks like a new team. With so much turnover from last year’s team, the spring game offered the first opportunity to see what next season would look like and it did not disappoint.

FIVE THINGS I LIKED

1. QB Depth

KJ Jefferson’s propensity to run the ball has some negative consequences. He never shies away from taking a hit, but that means he’s banged up much more often than other Quarterbacks. Last year showed just how much quality QB depth matters with one like Jefferson.

With this year’s QB room, those worries should be long gone. Jacolby Criswell (transfer from UNC) looks like the best candidate to back up KJ Jefferson. Criswell finished the day by completing 8 of 12 passes for 87 yards, one touchdown, and one int. That’s not counting the beautiful 61-yard touchdown to Sam Mbake. The play was ruled a sack but it was debatable, to say the least.

Just because he seems to be QB2 doesn’t mean there isn’t a competition. Cade Fortin had a very good day too, completing 5 of 7 for 55 yards. His best play of the game was a dime to Isaiah Sategna in the western corner of the north end zone.

Arkansas’s future looks incredibly bright at the position, as well. Former 4-star and incoming freshman Malachi Singleton went 4 of 4 for 66 yards with the highest yards per completion average at 16.5, and one touchdown. The one criticism I’d offer is that he tends to tuck the ball and run a little prematurely, but as a freshman, that’s completely natural. Once he get the experience under his belt, he will be very good.

2. Isaiah Sategna

For most of the offseason, eyes have been focused on the incoming transfer receivers. More or less, everyone expected them to be like Matt Landers and Jaden Haselwood, and take over. They very well might take a starting spot or two, but Isaiah Sategna will most likely take one for himself.

This year’s spring game should be retroactively renamed the Isaiah Sategna show. Catching all 3 of his targets for a team-high 95 yards, he was undoubtedly the best receiver of the day. He caught a 65-yard bomb over the middle of the field to show off his speed. He then caught a 17-yard pass in the corner of the end zone that showed off his hands.

3. Defense Stunts and Blitzes

After the drop 8 defense hog fans have watched the past few years, the creativity of the blitzes and stunts is refreshing. The front 7 of Williams’ defense will be all over the place. Opposing offenses won’t know whose number has been called to pin their ears back.

4. Rocket Sanders

The running game was stellar, as expected. Rocket Sanders, somehow, still found a way to stand out. The bell cow of the team has always had the ability to run over people, but it looks like the addition of Ben Sowders as the strength and conditioning coach has done Sanders wonders. He was constantly dragging defenders or running through their chests for extra yards. At one point, he stiff-armed redshirt freshman Jaylen Lewis into oblivion like he was Derrick Henry reincarnate. And the best part is that he looked just as fast as last year.

I’m surprised I haven’t seen this shared yet. Rocket Sanders with a Derrick Henry-esque stiff arm. pic.twitter.com/e1en1Key9a

— Austin Farmer (@FarmersaurusRex) April 15, 2023

5. Swagger on Defense

It takes a certain attitude to play on defense. You have to be aggressive, and tenacious, and most importantly, you have to have swagger. You have to go on the field and believe you’re the baddest dude on the field. The defense was celebrating incomplete throws, sacks, and hyping up anyone and everyone who made a play. After last year’s drop in morale, it’s certainly a promising sign.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just sunshine and rainbows. Arkansas has some problems that have followed them from last year and a few new ones.

FOUR THINGS I DISLIKED

1. Pass Blocking

Remember those stunts and Blitzes? The offensive line seemed completely lost at times. A defender found themselves in the backfield on numerous occasions, sometimes untouched. In particular, the defense performed blitz added to a stunt that not a single offensive line group could stop. The blitz side tackle and linebacker slanted to the outside while the end wrapped around to attack the middle. Every time the defense ran this stunt, the end ran completely free. The offensive line has to communicate better.

2. Run Defense

Of course, Arkansas returns one of the best running attacks in the country, but the offense could run through the defense almost at will. One consequence of running so many blitzes is the likelihood of players losing gap integrity. If Williams wants to run these exotic blitz packages on run downs, he’ll need to stress the importance of players staying in their gap.

Another reason, although I can’t be for sure, is the lack of depth in the middle of the defensive line. Arkansas will need to take at least one defensive lineman out of the portal.

3. Still a Liability Deep on Defense

Let me preface this by saying the secondary is much improved. Wideouts seldom found themselves completely wide open like we saw last season. On the other hand, the receivers beat them deep way too many times. Granted, most instances, Isaiah Sategna—the fastest receiver Arkansas has—was the receiver that beat them, but this is the SEC. Every team in the conference has a receiver that can burn a secondary at any second.

4. Redzone Defense

The team ran a whole bunch of game scenarios, including 2-minute and 4^th and short drills, among others. The offense dominated the red zone drill. On the first play of the drill, the offense scored on an 18-yard end-around touchdown to Sam Mbake. The offense would win 3 of the 5 opportunities left. The defense did come up with an interception. Antonio Grier stepped in front of a pass from Jacolby Criswell and tipped in the air to LaDarrius Bishop.

Arkansas has a few things to work on, but the spring game showed much more “good” than “bad”. Arkansas has the pieces to make some noise next season. All Arkansas needs to do is put it all together.