2005 Statistics

Quarterback
The clear-cut starter in Casey Dick, who was un-redshirted seven games into 2005 when RS soph Robert Johnson didn’t run the offense consistently enough. The now-sophomore settled in well and showed enough to make him the incumbent heading into this season. Both are 6’2” and around 215lbs. Still, the prospect of a no-huddle/hurry-up approach could give both reps early until the one who grasps the system best emerges. Whereas Johnson is a step faster, Dick (who was the first UA QB ever to take his first collegiate snap as a starter) is not slow by any means, though he will again be used primarily in a drop-back mode (look for either to be called on to get more ground yards this campaign). Both have a few wrinkles still needing to be ironed out, but the promise of development in both of their second years should give the Razorbacks better leadership from here. Five-star recruit Mitch Mustain, this year’s No.2 drop-back prospect (Rivals), seems to be the future, but he could easily be redshirted himself to keep his availability open longer due to these two being able to handle the helm.

Running Back
After leading the SEC in rushing three of the past four years, a proven pair of sophomores should make it four out of five. SEC Freshman of the Year Darren McFadden proved his five-star status quickly, earning 1100+ yards at a clip of 6.3 yards per try via 4.38 speed and 210lbs of oomph. Classmate Felix Jones may be smaller, but he proved worthy with the same average per carry and more success when in the flat. This one-two punch enters its second season together to terrorize defenses and assure any less than eight in the box won’t do to stop them. Then there is Michael Smith, who was pushing both last spring for playing time before he had to be redshirted due to injury. Smith is smaller than the two proven commodities, but makes for a nice change of pace. Junior Peyton Hillis is one of the nation’s most integral FBs, finishing first on the team for receptions while averaging close to five per carry. With depth here, too, Arkansas will continue to run it nearly 63% of the time.

Receiver
Junior Marcus Monk is a coach’s dream at wideout. At 6’6” and nearly 230lbs, he wins most matchups and has soft hands – he gets anything you throw his way, exactly what establishing QBs need. His downfield blocking skills are strong enough to guarantee him a job on Sundays. Senior (ex-QB) Cedric Washington is a bit smaller but a hair faster, making him the perfect compliment. This pair of upperclassmen will help procure the QB(s) so the team’s yards per catch can soar past 2005’s modest average of 10.5. Junior Chris Baker returns from a knee injury to join Cedric Logan and quite a few up-and-coming prospects and all will provide experienced, well-rounded depth. Damien Williams is this year’s four-star stud who should also see reps. Remember, FB Hillis was the top snarler in ’05. Besides RBs, this corps provides the most talent on the team as they go four-deep with starting quality.

Tight End
Senior ex-DE Wes Murphy took back his starting spot from Mason Templeton after missing much of last campaign due to injury. Templeton is the better receiver, but Murphy is both a little faster and bigger, making him the every-down choice. We will see more balls come their way after only seven total receptions for Razorback TEs occurred in ’05. Marc Winston will also assure his soft hands produce yards, though he needs improvements in his blocking to see more reps.

Offensive Line
The talent here will complete the offense with experienced blockers. Zac Tubbs brings 330lbs. to bear at right tackle. All-SEC quality (second-team preseason 2005), the senior has missed the majority of the past two campaigns (fibula, ankle), but looks ready to return to his staring spot. The all-important LT is fellow-senior Tony Ugoh, who is solid after spearheading excellent protection in ‘05 even with the freshman QBs (ranked 20th nationally; allowed only 22 sacks). Sophomore Jonathan Lugis started most of his first year. Knee troubles look cleared up for this local frosh all-American (FWAA) to forge the blocking schemes needed so the Razorbacks can again lead the league in rushing. Senior Steve Parker has started at left guard for two seasons, and the former walk-on grades out better than most SEC linemen. Junior Robert Felton at the other inside spot rounds out this group of 300-pounders, and can play tackle, though he is still tabbed for right guard. Consequently, most of the starters can play in other slots as needed, and experience (due to 2005’s injuries) and just as much size in the reserves arguably makes this line one of the SEC’s best.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
With the first-year jitters hopefully worked out of the new QBs, the talent positions are poised and ready to make the Razorbacks much improved from last season’s modest 66th total offensive showing. They will have to step into a no-huddle approach, a new for what used to be a conservative offense. Casey Dick takes the helm to start the campaign, and he has the running game behind him to feel confident defenders will be kept honest so that he can develop his aerial qualities even further, which will be needed to keep the starter for much of last year, Robert Johnson, from supplanting him. Still, whichever QB shows he can grasp the hurry-up will get the call. TBs McFadden and Jones are only sophomores themselves, and along with soft-handed junior FB Peyton Hillis, this trio comprises the SEC’s (and possibly the nation’s) best backfield. The WRs will hopefully get the rock more (and for more than 10.5 yards per completion), but they are excellent downfield blockers when not in routes. The deep ball must be established (or at least attempted), and Monk and Washington need to each have 50+ snarls for UA to prove the Razorbacks have taken the next step. The entire corps is too talented not to have Nutt and OC (as well as WR coach and no-huddle guru) Gus Malzahn make the most of their matchup advantages. The huge, versatile line can do it all, and they are experienced enough to take on all quality of comers as they have proven now year-in, year-out. But with all over 300lbs, can they keep up their quality when in hurry-up mode? Really, the QB unit only has to prove its throwing consistent while managing this great talent pool to have the offense reach its potential.

Defensive Line
Two converted-WRs, junior left end Jamaal Anderson and senior right end Anthony Brown, will supply as ample a pass rush as well as they do strong run support. Anderson came in after Brown’s left knee went out and proved much, which secured Anderson’s starting place opposite Brown for 2006. Both are superior athletes who are impossible to stop for an entire 60 minutes. The tackles are just as ready with hulksters Keith Jackson and Marcus Harrison. Jackson is a second-team all-SEC senior who accomplished the rare feat of finishing fourth on the team in tackles from an inside slot. Harrison compiled an amazing 15 QB-hurries, but that is expected from a former DE who doesn’t just take up space so others can get the glory. The Razorback’s DL goes go two-deep with experienced guys who all produce, and the entire crew should improve on 2005’s 35th-ranking against the run.

Linebacker
Senior weakside guy Sam Olajubutu has been flooring since his freshman campaign. This former top-ranked wrestler and current second-team all-American (NationalChamps.net) has both speed and squat strength to assure he accomplishes whatever he tries to do (team best 14.5 TFLs). The “Mike” will be classmate Desmond Sims, the team’s sack leader (though he played DE most of ’05). He is more svelte, but no faster than Olajubutu. Both do well as a fifth down lineman. Super sophomore Freddie Fairchild is the quickest of the bunch in his middle spot. He was SEC Freshman of the Year (Sporting News) as well as a frosh all-American and can do it all despite his smaller stature. Top backup Weston Dacus, a former-FB, has the speed-strength combo coaches love. The unit is so stacked that four-star recruit Van Stumon could be red-shirted due to all of the quality depth. This group knows each other well and will anchor any improvements seen throughout the D.

Defensive Back
Things seem “well covered” at corner, but the safeties are not so assured. Given the chance to start, Chris Houston has taken senior Darius Vinnett’s spot. Either can produce, but Houston’s size advantage secures him as the first option on the right side. The left side has Matterral Richardson doing the same thing after he was brought in for fellow-junior Michael Grant. And senior backup Michael Coe is the biggest of them all and tied for the team lead in pass breakups with eight. We feel that this side is even more secure, but any combination will afford coverage schemes that leave these well-qualified CBs on islands. Senior Randy Kelly has the inside track at free safety after starting (though as the SS) six games in ’05. The former JUCO-transfer has speed (4.4 in the 40) and size, as does Elston Forte, a sophomore who can play anywhere. JUCO-transfer John West, slated for the SS slot after earning all-American status last campaign at that level, was outdone by Grant in spring ball, so Grant is now the apparent choice to move back from his nickel slot. Junior Kevin Woods proved much worth with his few chances, while freshmen Kevin Harris (son of NFL great Cliff Harris) and Little Rock-native Kevin Thorton will excel here, too. The deep middle is obviously the closest thing to a soft spot, and is where most foes will attack until the Razorback safeties prove their collective worth.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The front seven will make its mark as superior run stoppers in the ever-tough SEC. But the new-look group at safety has to step up so the LBs don’t constantly have to drop back for zone help. Foes could then bait UA with passing formations that become running plays. The corners can be left to their own auspices, which means safeties in the box when it looks like a run can work the other way (against the Razorbacks) if play-action occurs and TEs are sent deep. That is the “glass half empty” breakdown. “Half full” says they have the experience and talent to improve on last year’s overall ranking of 34th (which was a marked improvement from 2004’s 78th showing). Arkansas allowed only four league opponents to score more than 20 (only Auburn tallied over 30), and they held foes to under 20 the last four games. Finishing the campaign off by holding LSU to 19 gives much promise for this year’s effort with so many starters backs. But they still allowed close to 25 points per game, which means even more consistency is the key to ratcheting it up another notch.