Two positions key for Arkansas’ success

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will be at the SEC Media Days on Thursday which is an indication that football season is near again.

Arkansas is looking to be vastly improved over 2023. The addition of four new assistants on offense including Bobby Petrino calling the plays should help tremendously. Here’s a look at two positions, one on each side of the ball, that could help determine the success in 2024.

Offensive Line

This unit wasn’t good last fall. Eric Mateos has replaced Cody Kennedy coaching the unit. The play calling last fall didn’t help the offensive line or any other position on that side of the football. With Petrino it’s a certainty that will improve. Mateos also has brought in three transfers who are in the starting lineup. Fernando Carmona is stationed at left tackle and Keyshawn Blackstock is at right tackle. That allowed Patrick Kutas to move to his more natural position of guard. He and Joshua Braun are the starting guards. Addison Nichols came from Tennessee and is starting at center. That should be a much better unit than the one last year if everyone plays up to their potential. It is a must this unit is much better because last year’s offensive line gave the team no chance at success. As noted that isn’t putting all, or even most of the blame on the offensive line itself, but the predictable play calling made it very difficult for this unit as well as the others on offense. Some depth pieces for the offensive line are E’Marion Harris, Ty’Kieast Crawford, Joe More, Amaury Wiggins and others. If this group plays well under Mateos the chances for success goes up tremendously for the entire team.

Linebackers

Gone from last season are Chris “Pooh” Paul, Jahiem Thomas and others. Travis Williams almost had to completely rebuild the position. Brad Spence returns after a very impressive freshman season. Arkansas also added Xavian Sorey Jr., Larry Worth III and Stephen Dix Jr. from the transfer portal. All three were very successful at their previous schools and should fit in well with this group. Arkansas also returns Carson Dean, Alex Sanford and Kaden Henley from last season. They also added freshmen such as Bradley Shaw, Wyatt Simmons, JuJu Pope and Justin Logan. If Williams can get four of five linebackers he’s comfortable with this group has a chance to avoid the dropoff many expected with Paul and others entered the transfer portal. A key to that may be Spence making the progression many expected, the three transfers all being as good as expected and another young linebacker or two make a move up the depth chart. If all that happens this group should help the defense.