How Arkansas and UAPB compare at each position

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UAPB: While Mekhi Hagens won the starting job in preseason fall camp, he won’t be in an unfamiliar spot. The redshirt junior was the starter in last year’s opener at Tulsa before injuries forced him off the field. Those ailments continued to plague him throughout the season, limiting him to just 580 yards on 53-of-117 passing and 3 touchdowns in 9 games.

Arkansas: Taylen Green, a transfer picked up by OC Bobby Petrino, has only taken first-team reps since arriving in the winter. Green was 287 of 483 for 3,794 yards with 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 26 games and 22 starts over 3 seasons at Boise State and ran for 1,026 yards and 19 touchdowns. He needs to improve on his subpar 136.3 passer efficiency. Redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton didn’t try to transfer in college.

Advantage ARKANSAS

runs

UAPB: It’s not publicly known who will start, but it’s a pretty safe bet that several will see time. OJ Ross, a transfer from Tennessee Tech, is listed as a co-starter with Johness Davis, who led the team in rushing last season with 350 yards on 70 carries and 1 touchdown. Za’Marion Webber, a transfer from Louisiana-Monroe, and Magnolia native BJ Curry, who rushed for 209 yards on 42 carries, could also record carries.

Arkansas: The Hogs can go five-deep with Rashod Dubinion and transfers Ja’Quinden Jackson and Rodney Hill in the top 3, plus freshman Braylen Russell and Tyrell Reed. Dubinion has 553 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in 2 seasons, but needs to improve on his 3.6 yards per carry. Jackson (245-1,358 yards, 14 TDs) averaged 5.5 yards per carry at Utah, where he played through a bad ankle in 2023. Hill is a speedster whose pass-catching is a big addition.

Advantage ARKANSAS

ODD RECEIVERS/ENDS

UAPB: Kevin English, 6-5, 225 pounds, a redshirt sophomore, is hot to start Jaxson Isaac again at tight end. English (10 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TDs) saw action in 8 games last season. At him, Aramoni Rhone, Kristian Gammage, Donovann Giles and JaVonnie Gibson lead the receiving corps. They are all first-year players. Daemon Dawkins (24-199) is slated as the backup.

Arkansas: If top returner Andrew Armstrong (56 receptions, 764 yards, 5 TDs) is held out with a hamstring, it’s a bigger opportunity for Isaiah Sategna (15-129, 2), Tyrone Broden (15-109 , 3), Isaac TeSlaa ( 34-351, 2) and privates Luke Hasz (16-253, 3), Ty Washington (11-170, 2) and Var’keyes Gumms (3-26). Jaedon Wilson (15-199, 2), Davion Dozier (1-14-1) and newcomers Monte Harrison, CJ Brown and Jordan Anthony figure.

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OFFENSIVE LINE

UAPB: Transfers highlight the unit, led by former Benedict College standout Keavius ​​Barnes. The 290-pound tackle helped the Tigers go 13-1 and reach the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs last season. Former North Carolina-Pembrook linebacker Jeremiah Rodgers solidifies at left guard. Rolando Jones and Christon Love return as starters at offensive tackle and center. Courtney Van Buren will start at left guard.

Arkansas: The Hogs say they’ve improved on the edges with transfers in right tackle Keyshawn Blackstock and left tackle Fernando Carmona. Little Rock native E’Marion Harris is ready to step in at left guard for the injured Patrick Kutas. Righty Josh Braun, with 11 starts in 2023, is the only returning starter at the same spot. Transfer center Addison Nichols played mostly guard at Tennessee. The unit averages 6-5, 322 pounds.

Advantage ARKANSAS

DEFENSE LINE

UAPB: The strength of the unit, which allowed 444.9 yards per game last season, is on the interior, where Khalil Arnold and Anas Luqman return after combining for 45 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Luqman (foot) missed most of the year. Elijah Jenkins recorded 16 tackles last season and also returns. Northeastern State (Okla.) transfer Antonio Johnson or Jason Gwan will take the first shots at nose guard.

Arkansas: Defensive end Landon Jackson (44 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks) is a preseason All-SEC pick. Cam Ball (32, 1.5 TFL, 1 fumble) and Eric Gregory (16, 2.5, 1 sack, 6 hurries) are veteran tacklers, while Nico Davillier (11, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack) and Anton Juncaj are expected to share time. at defensive end. Juncaj led FCS with 15 sacks at Albany in 2023. Top reserves are Keivie Rose, Ian Geffrard, Quincy Rhodes and Danny Saili.

Advantage ARKANSAS

LINEBACKERS

UAPB: The least experienced unit on defense after the transfer of former All-SWAC Rico Dozier. Sophomore Jaylen White and New Jersey junior college transfer Kaylon Bradley are set to alternate in the middle. Albul had 3 tackles last year for UAPB. Jaden Kelley, a transfer from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, will get the starting assignment on the weak side.

Arkansas: Turnovers abound around returner Brad Spence (16, 1.5 TFL, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery). Transfers Xavian Sorey (Georgia), Stephen Dix (Marshall) and Anthony Switzer (Utah State) are expected to play prominent roles, along with true freshman Bradley Shaw and sophomore Alex Sanford. Spence, who will play some “Buck” snaps near the line, and Sorey are the likely starters for defensive coordinator and position coach Travis Williams.

Advantage ARKANSAS

SECONDARY

UAPB: The Golden Lions got a boost at safety with the return of Kaleb Knox back from injury. Shawn Wilson could land there after finishing with 26 tackles. Quintin Sterling and Tavon Hardwick are slated for the free safety and rover spots. The corners will be inexperienced with freshman Zac Williams on the right and sophomore Antwon Jackson and freshman Amyrion Mingo as the co-starters on the left.

Arkansas: Veteran safety combo of Jayden Johnson (62, 1.5 TFL, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT) and Hudson Clark (51, 4.5 TFL, 4 PBU, 1 INT) will be joined by TJ Metcalf (15, 1 FR) , Larry Worth and Miguel Mitchell. The best niches are Doneiko Slaughter and Tevis Metcalf. Sophomore Jaylon Braxton (20, 1 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FR) leads the cornerback corps with Marquise Robinson, Jaheim Singletary and Kee’yon Stewart all in the rotation.

Advantage ARKANSAS

SPECIAL TEAMS

UAPB: The lone UAPB player to earn all-conference honors in the preseason was punter Jeremy Baker. The senior from Oakland, Calif., averaged 39 yards per punt as a junior, including a long of 68 yards. He also had 14 punts that went at least 50 yards and 4 touchbacks. UAPB also has multiple options at kicker with Trey Glymph and Braden Ducharme. Boothe Larkin will handle long assignments.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks believe Isaiah Sategna (837 all-purpose yards, 1 TD) could be one of the top return specialists in the FBS. Ashton Ngo is likely to make the break. Devin Bale, who had a huge camp, is ready to pitch, hold and start. Matthew Shipley appeared to have the edge over Kyle Ramsey in a transfer battle for the job duties.

Advantage ARKANSAS

INTANGIBLES

UAPB: There’s a lot to like about the Golden Lions, especially since coach Alonzo Hampton landed a full recruiting class. There’s more depth on both sides of the ball and a number of transfers have played out at the FBS level, but there are still question marks for a team that was heavily outscored in nine games last year. UAPB isn’t favored to win, but a solid showing against an SEC opponent could go a long way.

Arkansas: Coach Sam Pittman, who received a vote of confidence late last season from athletic director Hunter Yurachek, said and emphasized all the right things, including a renewed emphasis on toughness, and hired UA icon Bobby Petrino. Pittman says he knows this is a critical year for him and the program. How much excitement will this in-state showdown between teams with 1-7 conference records build in 2023 for Central Arkansas?

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