Spring Game Overreaction: Position confidence ratings

Overreacting to spring scrimmages is a popular pastime of college fans all over the country. The annual Red-White game offered Arkansas fans their first peak at what the team will bring to the field on Saturdays this fall. Here are some of our overreactions: position confidence edition.

On a scale of 1-10, I’m ranking each position based on how confident I am of them going into the 2023 football season.

Quarterbacks: 8.9

Positives

The best thing the position has going for them is the return of KJ Jefferson. He’s proven that he can put the team on his back and win games. The only worry I have is the higher likelihood that he’ll get hurt during the season.

Fans saw it last year when Malik Hornsby and Cade Fortin had to take the reins versus Mississippi State and LSU. This year the position looks stacked. Jacolby Criswell has done extremely well during spring camp and had a great spring game. Cade Fortin, too, looked much more impressive during the scrimmage. The freshman of the group, Malachi Singleton, is raw, but the talent is there.

Negatives

The one reason my rating isn’t higher is because of KJ’s higher risk of injury. We’ve only seen one backup take a snap against an SEC defense. Cade Fortin has shown improvement but what’s going to happen in a real game situation against an SEC defense in front of an unfriendly crowd?

Running Backs: 9.8

Positives

Arkansas returns 100% of their rushing production from last year’s team, including Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. Rocket was just a few yards shy of claiming the SEC rushing title. AJ Green and Rashod Dubinion are both backs that could start on almost any team in the country. And let’s not forget about Dominique Johnson. Johnson has been limited due to a couple of ACL injuries, but two seasons ago, he racked up 575 yards averaging 5.9 yards a carry while sharing carries with Green, Sanders, and Trelon Smith.

Negatives

Arkansas can’t run the ball every single down. That’s it… that’s the list.

Wide Receivers: 7.6

Positives

Before the spring game, I would have rated them in the 6.5 to 7.0 range. Now, I have them much higher. Andrew Armstrong, Isaac Teslaa, and Tyrone Broden are all great gets out of the portal. All three are big-bodied receivers with great hands. Sam Mbake was also impressive with a couple of nice catches and a jet sweep carry for a touchdown.

Isaiah Sategna was the star of Saturday’s scrimmage. He accumulated twice as many yards as any other receiver with only three catches. He’s incredibly fast. He can take the top off of a defense at any moment. He also has the hands to go with it! He stretched out for a pass from Cade Fortin in the corner of the end zone and miraculously managed to keep both feet in bounds.

Negatives

The group has too many new faces. Arkansas lost 4 of its top receivers last year. Every receiver taking the field for the first game against Western Carolina will be unproven. Growing pains might be prevalent in the first quarter of the season until Sam Pittman and Co. can lock down a rotation.

Tight Ends: 7.0

Positives

Dan Enos’ offense is very friendly toward tight ends and Arkansas has a great mixture of tight ends types. Nathan Bax and redshirt freshman Ty Washington are good inline tight ends while freshman Luke Hasz is a smaller, more mobile player that can play off the line of scrimmage. Enos can mix it up week-to-week making it easier for the tight ends to excel.

And that’s without Shamar Easter. The former top high school recruit in the state of Arkansas is 6-5, 225 lbs with great hands. He’s big enough to play in line but mobile enough to play offline or on the outside.

Negatives

As far as depth goes, the tight ends might be the worst on the team and they are extremely young. Arkansas will need to bring in a veteran tight end before I’m comfortable giving them anything higher.

Offensive Line: 6.5

Positives

The offensive line has a lot of talent, top to bottom. Beaux Limmer and Brady Latham had been multi-year starters with loads of SEC experience. Arkansas has also brought in Joshua Braun from Florida. Redshirt sophomore Patrick Kutas was also turning head this spring. And their run blocking from last year hasn’t missed a beat.

Negatives

Again, there are a lot of new faces. Arkansas lost 3 of their 5 starting O-linemen from last year’s squad. Chemistry is key on the O-line, especially concerning pass blocking, and the group did not have a good showing in the spring game. With complicated blitzes and defensive line stunts, the guys up front need to communicate effectively. Arkansas needs to determine the right combination and let them gel.

Defensive Line: 7.8

Positives

On the flip side to the O-line’s negative point, the defensive line has a great pass rush. Travis Williams’ style of defense has brought the 8^th ranking pass rush in the nation to a whole new level. The additions of Trajan Jeffcoat and John Morgan III have solidified the defensive ends. The depth there is great.

Negatives

The depth on the inside of the line is lacking. Defensive tackles need to rest more than any other position making depth very important. Adding a second tackle just makes it even more so.

Fresh legs are going to be paramount to the success of the line. Williams likes to run stunts with them and gap integrity will be of the utmost importance, especially on running downs. In the spring game, the defensive line was gashed multiple times on the ground. Arkansas will probably need another defensive lineman out of the portal in addition to Tank Booker out of Maryland.

Linebackers: 8.6

Positives

With a blitz-friendly defense, the linebackers are going to be stars this year. The freshman All-American Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. will likely be front and center. He’s aggressive, fast, great in coverage, and always in the right spot.

Speaking of coverage, the position looks more mobile than last year’s group. Bumper Pool and Drew Sanders were excellent running downhill and attacking the ball, but their mobility moving backward in coverage was a bit lacking. Antonio Grier demonstrated the groups improvement when he tipped the ball in the red zone which led to an Interception.

Negatives

Unfortunately, Paul and Grier are the only two linebackers with much playing experience. Jordan Crook and Mani Powell have only played a handful of in-game snaps.

Another worry is how young the group is. Grier and walk-on Brooks Booth are the only upperclassmen. This is another position that needs another vet out of the portal.

Defensive Backs: 5.0

Positives

The award for the most improved position beyond a doubt goes to the defensive backs. Of course, they had nowhere else to go but up after allowing more passing yards than any other FBS team in the country. Last season, you could bet that at least once a game the secondary would bust a coverage. During the spring game, not a single wide receiver was given a free pass.

The depth at corner is also very deep. With the return of Dwight McGlothern and the emergence of Quincey McAdoo, Arkansas added Lorando “Snaxx” Johnson and Jaheim Singletary out of the portal. LaDarrius Bishop will also return after a season-ending knee injury.

Negatives

Safety depth is a cause for concern. Behind Hudson Clark, Jayden Johnson, and Malik Chavis there isn’t a lot of returning seniority. Alfahiym Walcott is a vet transfer from Baylor, but he’ll most likely play nickel. Arkansas can probably afford to bring two more out of the portal just to add depth.

They were also beaten deep a few times. This might be more nitpicky, but the memories of last year’s squad getting burned every game are still fresh in my head.

Offense Overall: 8.8

With what they have returning in the backfield and the potential of the receiving corp, I like their chances next season. Enos’ offense will be a lot less gimmicky and much less predictable. The one question mark is the offensive line. However, if there’s one position that we shouldn’t worry about, it’s them, given Sam Pittman’s past.

Defense Overall: 6.4

The defense is going to be insane with so much movement upfront. And with the new defensive staff’s personality, the players will never be short of energy. Depth is my main concern. How long can they sustain that energy throughout the game?