EARLY BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Wes Murphy-TE, Tony Ugoh-OT, Stephen Parker-OG, Zac Tubbs-OT
DEFENSE: Keith Jackson-DT, Desmond Sims-MLB, Sam Olajubutu-WLB, Randy Kelly-SS, Jacob Skinner-P
Running Back/Defensive End

McFadden right, McFadden left. Who is doing the blocking? It may not matter. Anderson and Robinson provided 18.5 sacks for this defense in 2006. Their returns will keep QBs from looking down field too long.

Offensive Line

Three of the Hogs up front have departed. This coaching staff has done a solid job of organizing an OL capable of producing rushing numbers over the years. This development must continue, for there are holes to fill.

RB Darren McFadden
 
DE Jamaal Anderson
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
ARKANSAS 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Casey Dick-Jr Mitch Mustain-So
FB/HB Peyton Hillis-Sr Farod Jackson-Sr
TB Darren McFadden-Jr Felix Jones - Jr (WR) / Michael Smith-So
WR Marcus Monk-Sr Robert Johnson-Sr
WR Damian Williams-So ..
TE Andrew Davie-So ..
OT .. ..
OG .. ..
C Jonathan Luigs-Jr ..
OG Robert Felton-Sr ..
OT .. ..
K Jeremy Davis-Jr ..
DEFENSE
DE Jamaal Anderson-Sr Chris Wade-Sr
DT Ernest Mitchell-Jr Marcus Harrison-Sr
DT Cord Gray-Jr ..
DE Antwain Robinson-Jr ..
SLB Matt Hewitt-Sr Freddie Fairchild-So
MLB Weston Dacus-Sr ..
WLB Wendel Davis-So ..
CB Chris Houston-Sr Jamar Love-Jr
CB Matterral Richardson-Sr Jerell Norton-So
SS .. ..
FS Michael Grant-Sr Kevin Woods-Sr
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

The Razorbacks love to run the football. Who better to carry on the tradition than one of the leading Heisman candidates, Darren McFadden. The star RB looks like he should be running in the Kentucky Derby with his speed, elegance and power. The Hogs will also employ elusive Felix Jones (also the teams leading kick returner the past two seasons) as a ball carrier when needed (and continue to slide him over to FL in the “Wildcat”). The problem with Arkansas during coach Houston Nutt's reign has been the inability to generate a consistent passing game. Alternating QBs - between Casey Dick and heralded recruit Mitch Mustain - has not proven very effective in Fayetteville. Expect much of the same next fall as coaches choose to go with the hottest hand from week to week. Although the passing numbers leave much to be desired (105th in the nation), the problem is not from a lack of talent at the receiver position. Marcus Monk is worthy of some All-American mention; he just doesn't get enough touches in this system. The running tradition will likely continue, but it will have to be accomplished without the services of three top linemen. Overall, the defense has made great strides. The DE duo of Jamaal Anderson (First Team All-SEC) and Antwain Robinson accounted for 18.5 sacks in 2006. Chris Houston is back in the mix to keep Arkansas steady at CB. Opponents wishing to throw will find it difficult under these circumstances. This team has enough talent to push for another SEC West crown. This is a better team coming back than the one from ‘06. If they can finally settle in with a QB capable of stretching defenses, this could be a banner year.

 

ARKANSAS
2007 SCHEDULE

9-1 Troy
9-15 @ Alabama
9-22 North Texas
9-29 Kentucky
10-6 UT-Chattanooga **
10-13 Auburn
10-20 @ Mississippi
10-27 Florida International
11-3 South Carolina
11-10 @ Tennessee
11-17 Mississippi State **
11-24 @ Louisiana State
** @ Little Rock, AR