Thompson, Jackson Among Key WRs in Arkansas’ Offense

FAYETTEVILLE — Gone is Treylon Burks, however Arkansas nonetheless has a proficient group of extensive receivers together with redshirt senior Warren Thompson and sophomore Ketron Jackson.

Thompson transferred to Arkansas from Florida State previous to final season. Jackson was one of many prizes of Arkansas’ Class of 2022. The Royse Metropolis (Texas) four-star selected Arkansas over Texas and plenty of others.

Thompson was fourth on the crew with 19 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns in 2021. On Thursday following apply he mirrored again on his first season as a Razorback.

“I felt like I did alright,” Thompson stated. “However I do know I can do higher, and I’m going to make that my mission to be higher and win lots of video games.”

Since you might be from Seffner (Fla.) Armwood Excessive College initially how large was taking part in the ultimate recreation of 2021 in Tampa towards Penn State and did that imply lots to you?

“Yeah, it undoubtedly did,” Thompson stated. “Simply at the moment with my child being born and issues like that, it was nice to be down there with my household. I by no means actually obtained to – although I used to be in Tallahassee beforehand, I by no means actually obtained to play in Tampa, in order that was a dream come true for actual.”

Thompson talked about how he ended up at Arkansas when he opted to go away the Seminoles. Arkansas’ Kendal Briles was the offensive coordinator at Florida State in 2019.

“Simply wanting to play you already know and get again,” Thompsons stated. “I trusted in Coach Briles. I actually didn’t know Coach (Sam) Pittman that properly. However as soon as I obtained right here, man, I fell in love with him as a result of he was like a unique kind of head coach that I had by no means been round earlier than. I simply appreciated it. I appreciated being right here and I nonetheless do. It’s a blessing.”

Thompson got here to Arkansas although with no scholarship. Nonetheless, he was awarded one by Pittman earlier than the season even began.

“It was a blessing for actual,” Thompson stated. “Like, he was actually simply quiet about it and every part. I used to be type of getting over my harm, so I simply type of needed to get on the market and present him what I may do. However it was undoubtedly a weight lifted.”

Jackson caught 5 passes for 97 yards and one landing final fall. He’s happy to get to play for Kenny Guiton.

” I recognize him, too,” Jackson stated. “I got here in, and he noticed my expertise, how I’m constructed. Like, I’m the large man. He simply needed to deliver the canine mentality out of me and all of the small particulars. He performed quarterback. I like after we’ll be in movie. I get to be taught lots of stuff I by no means realized earlier than. He stresses small particulars. He stresses that. Like blocking, particularly blocking. He emphasizes all that. That’s the coach that I like. He brings the power daily to us. We’ve obtained to deliver the power to him.”

One receiver who can also be anticipated to play an enormous position this fall is Oklahoma switch Jadon Haselwood. Jackson is impressed with the previous Sooner and five-star recruit out of highschool.

“He performed at OU, he’s been like a veteran,” Jackson stated. “He got here the primary few days, he’s speaking to us and ensuring we’re on observe. I like that as a result of I’m a younger man and should get adjusted to some stuff. However the addition of him, I really feel prefer it’s nice. It brings… that’s one other vet that we will depend upon. So, I really feel prefer it’s nice.”

Jackson additionally weighed in what it’s wish to not have Burks catching passes for the Hogs.

“Yeah, with Burks leaving, clearly that’s an enormous load to choose up,” Jackson stated. “However I imply, coach got here in and instructed us after that, ‘He’s gone. Who’s going to step up.’ Like we’ve obtained the expertise to do it. It’s only a matter of like who’s going to step up. Daily at apply they’re saying ‘Consistency, consistency, consistency.’ That’s what me, Warren and the others are bringing daily so we will present that we didn’t lose nothing. We’re simply stepping forward.”

Thompson teamed with Burks a lot of final season to trigger points for opposing secondaries.

“We’re making an attempt to construct daily simply making an attempt to construct a basis with consistency and simply play-making,” Thompson stated. “We’ve obtained the flexibility within the room. It’s not left. We’re going to deliver that. We’re constructing daily.”

A freshman who’s already turning some heads at extensive receiver is Quincey McAdoo from Clarendon. McAdoo obtained behind an skilled cornerback in a latest apply for a landing.

“Quincey’s going to be a terrific participant, truthfully to me,” Jackson stated. “He seems to be as much as me type of lots. Like, we speak and textual content lots and go over performs. He asks me, ‘How do you do that?’ However, I simply noticed he didn’t know what he was doing, and he’d go and make a play. I stated, ‘As soon as you already know what he’s doing…’ It’s going to be him. He’s a terrific participant.”

Arkansas will maintain an open scrimmage on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.