ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Broderick Green-RB, Joe Adams-WR, Greg Childs-WR, Jarius Wright-WR, Grant Cook-OG, Grant Freeman-OT
DEFENSE: Jake Bequette-DE, Zach Stadther-DT, Jerico Nelson-OLB, Jerry Franklin-MLB, Greg Gatson-CB, Isaac Madison-CB, Tramain Thomas-S, Elton Ford-S
QB Tyler Wilson
Quarterback / Running Back

Coach Petrino Magic...Tyler Wilson heads the best passing offense in the SEC. The rushing numbers might not be pretty, but the number of rushers certainly is. That doesn't even take into account the return of injured All-SEC back Knile Davis.

Offensive Line / Defensive Line

This offensive line has trouble opening holes and protecting the quarterback. It could be much better. This defensive line sure has talent and experience, but has trouble stopping the run and getting after the quarterback. It could be much better.

LB Alonzo Highsmith
* 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 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
ARKANSAS 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Tyler Wilson-Sr Brandon Mitchell-Jr
TB Dennis Johnson-Sr Ronnie Wingo-Sr / Kiero Small-Sr (FB) / Knile Davis-Jr (Inj.)
WR Julian Horton-Jr ..
WR Cobi Hamilton-Sr Maudrecus Humphery-Jr
WR Marquel Wade-So Javontee Herndon-Jr
TE Chris Gragg-Sr Austin Tate-Jr / Colton Miles-Nash-Sr
OT Jason Peacock-Sr Mitch Smothers-So
OG .. ..
C Travis Swanson-Jr ..
OG Alvin Bailey-Jr ..
OT .. ..
K Zach Hocker-Jr ..
 
ARKANSAS 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Chris Smith-Jr ..
DT Byran Jones-Jr

Alfred Davis-Sr

DT DeQuinta Jones-Sr Robert Thomas-Jr
DE Tenarius Wright-Sr Trey Flowers-So
OLB Ross Rasner-Sr ..
MLB Terrell Williams-Sr Braylon Mitchell-So
OLB Alonzo Highsmith-Sr Jarrett Lake-Jr
CB Tevin Mitchel-So Jerry Mitchell-Jr
CB Darius Winston-Sr ..
S Eric Bennett-Jr Alan Turner-So
S Darrell Smith-Jr ..
P Dylan Breeding-Sr ..
QUICK TAKE
  • Arkansas is still in a holding pattern when it comes to taking the next step. After defeating three teams in the Top 15 AP poll this past season the Hogs have proven they are worthy of beating good competition, but getting over the Alabama/LSU hump will still be a huge reach. They just don’t have the same amount of horses.
  • Arkansas is 21-4 over its last 25 games. Alabama, Auburn and LSU are the only other schools in the SEC that have won at least 21 of their last 25 games. The SEC West is king.
  • With SEC leading passer Tyler Wilson at the helm, head coach Bobby Petrino has his best prospect behind center since Brian Brohm was a Heisman Trophy candidate for Petrino’s 2006 Louisville team.
  • The top pass catcher for 2012 will be...unheralded tight end Chris Gragg. With the huge losses of Joe Adams and Jarius Wright at receiver, Gragg now becomes the team's leading pass catcher.
  • Three running backs on the 2012 depth chart have potential to be All-SEC material. However with the pass being the priority, the Razorbacks will continue to dwell in the bottom of the conference's rushing statistics.
  • Alonzo Highsmith is shaping up to be one of the better linebackers in the conference. The only problem will be that his partner Jerry Franklin is no longer available to take some of the heat in the middle. Highsmith is the team's returning leading tackler and is the only linebacker to have started more than three games in 2011.
  • For Arkansas to have any shot at an SEC title, the defense needs to answer the bell in a much bigger capacity. The run defense still has holes and the ability to pressure quarterbacks will continue to be a work in progress.

 

ARKANSAS 2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 - Jacksonville State
Sept. 8 - Louisiana-Monroe
Sept. 15 - Alabama
Sept. 29 - at Texas A&M
Oct. 6 - at Auburn
Oct. 13 - Kentucky
Oct. 27 - Mississippi
Nov. 3 - Tulsa
Nov. 10 - at South Carolina
Nov. 17 - at Mississippi State
Nov. 24 - Louisiana State