Drew Sanders among Razorbacks stars

Climate chased Arkansas soccer’s spring recreation indoors Saturday, and the competition turned a glorified scrimmage that includes thud tackling as an alternative of full-fledged hitting whereas the first- and second-string models have been on the sector.

Though quarterback KJ Jefferson performed principally mistake-free, Arkansas’ protection displayed an higher hand for a lot of the day, and a key defensive addition confirmed promise.

This is my evaluation: 

What I appreciated

Regardless of enduring a handful of key departures, the Razorbacks’ protection did not look like in peril of regressing after the unit ranked sixth within the SEC in scoring protection final season. The protection restricted massive performs and carried out properly in two-minute conditions.

Linebacker Drew Sanders, an Alabama switch, appeared like a pure in the course of the protection taking part in alongside veteran Bumper Pool.

Enhancing the go rush is an space of focus for the protection, the Razorbacks confirmed promise in that space, particularly when working in opposition to the second-team offense.

ARKANSAS FOOTBALL:What Sam Pittman needed to maintain the identical whereas altering Razorbacks’ customary

SEC WEST:Not even Nick Saban is spared the switch tightrope, however Alabama finds steadiness | Opinion

Raheim Sanders seems prepared for the highest working again function, following the switch of Trelon Smith. He slipped by a gap on the left facet of the road and scored on a 66-yard run for one of many scrimmage’s few massive performs, and he ran for one more landing throughout a red-zone sequence. AJ Inexperienced appeared poised to hitch him in a 1-2 backfield punch.

Backup quarterback Malik Hornsby confirmed versatility by making a catch as a wideout, and Trey Knox appeared like a pure as a decent finish after changing from broad receiver.

What I did not like

Quarterback depth is a priority, notably after Lucas Coley’s switch. The broad receiving corps is one other query. Vast receivers received separation too sometimes Saturday and dropped too many passes, notably whereas the second string was on the sector.

Hornsby’s athleticism means he’ll be included as a large receiver, however what if he is wanted to alleviate Jefferson? The offense struggled whereas both Hornsby or third-string quarterback Cade Fortin have been on the controls.

“I did not notably suppose we performed extraordinarily properly on offense as we speak, however that claims the protection performed good,” coach Sam Pittman instructed the SEC Community afterward.

Quotable

“Drew Sanders is a monster. You possibly can inform he’s technically sound. You possibly can inform he’s been coached his entire life.” – Arkansas security Jalen Catalon instructed the SEC Community on the protection’s key addition

Recreation ball

Sanders. Official stats weren’t stored, however Sanders was across the ball all day and made a number of tackles to spearhead the first-team protection’s stable efficiency.

Lingering query

Who will substitute Treylon Burks’ manufacturing? The Jefferson-to-Burks deep-ball connection turned a pillar of Arkansas’ offense final season. With Burks NFL certain, he leaves a giant void. Oklahoma switch Jadon Haselwood can be a part of the substitute plan, and he made a pair grabs Saturday, however nobody emerged as a downfield risk for Jefferson to focus on.

Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Community. Electronic mail him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and comply with him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. In the event you get pleasure from Blake’s protection, take into account a digital subscription that can enable you entry to all of it.