Arkansas needs help at running back, offensive line and cornerback in 2016 class
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We’ll get our final look at the 2015 Razorbacks when Arkansas takes on Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2. But already we’re getting a glimpse at how next year’s Hogs might look as head coach Bret Bielema puts the finishing touches on the next wave of Razorbacks with his 2016 recruiting class.
Arkansas has plenty of issues, but Bielema is slowly developing a familial culture, putting Fayetteville back on the maps of many top recruits. Here’ a look at some of the positions that the coach needs to fill to round out his roster for the start of the 2016 season.
RUNNING BACK
Losing after 2015: Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams
With the likely departures of both Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, Arkansas is facing the prospect of replacing two featured tailbacks with a combined 5,839 career yards and 49 touchdowns (and counting). The Razorbacks’ depth chart thins out a bit with junior Kody Walker as the team’s next leading rusher (338 yards), followed by freshman Rawleigh Williams III’s 254 yards. Williams III’s status going forward, however, is uncertain after suffering a neck injury midway through this season.
One option to bolster the backfield is 2016 commit and four-star recruit T.J. Hammonds. Arkansas is also vying to land four-star running backs Devin White, who will announce his decision around Jan. 7, Devwah Whaley, who just decommitted from Georgia, and Kyle Porter. Luring any of the three to Fayetteville could set up the Hogs up to continue trampling opponents on the ground.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Losing after 2015: Mitch Smothers, Sebastian Tretola
The success of the Arkansas offense is predicated on the strength of its offensive line, which was the biggest in the nation this year. But the unit will lose two core pieces in C Mitch Smothers and LG Sebastian Tretola – as well as offensive line coach Sam Pittman to Kirby Smart’s new staff at Georgia. The exodus of Pittman to Athens didn’t dissuade offensive guard Terrance Malone from becoming the first recruit to sign a letter-of-intent to play for the Hogs, just days after Pittman announced he was leaving. Head coach Bret Bielema’s current 2016 class also has the commitment from four-star guard Jake Heinrich. The future of the unit, however, hinges on whether or not LT Denver Kirkland and RT Dan Skipper forego their senior years for the NFL Draft. In either case, it would behoove Arkansas to ink another lineman or two before the close of the recruiting period.
CORNERBACK
Losing after 2015: None
Arkansas expects to return five players with starting experience at cornerback, including juniors Jared Collins and D.J. Dean, sophomores Henré Tolliver and Kevin Richardson II and freshman Ryan Pulley. But the unit that allowed the most passing yards in the SEC can stand to bolster its depth, especially with a player that can step in early and be a reliable lock-down option. Bret Bielema’s 2016 recruit class is lacking in cornerbacks. The Razorbacks missed out on highly-touted Jamarcus King, who took an official visit to Fayetteville, but instead opted for Will Muschamp and South Carolina. One option the Hogs are coveting is four-star cornerback Kristian Fulton. Potentially working to Bielema’s advantage in landing Fulton might be the fact LB Dwayne Eugene and Tolliver are Archbishop Rummel (La.) High School alums. Deon Edwards, a three-star safety, is the sole defensive back in the Hogs’ 2016 class so far.
CURRENT RECRUITING CLASS
The 2016 recruiting class is far from being a done deal, but so far the Razorbacks are in strong shape, with a class that currently ranks No. 30 in the nation and No. 10 in the SEC by 247sports. That ranking could rise with the addition of several prominent signees that expect to announce their intentions around the holidays.
Bielema has the hard commitment of 15 athletes, including DE McTelvin Agim, who is considered the No. 1 overall recruit in the Natural State. Offensive guard Terrance Malone of Northwest Mississippi Community College is the lone recruit to already sign a letter-of-intent.
HOGS CONTINUE TO BOLSTER DEFENSIVE FRONT
The Arkansas defensive front should be a formidable unit once again, returning three starters and losing only DT Demarcus Hodge (27 tackles, 7.0 TFL) to graduation. The Razorbacks’ front-four helped the Hogs finish second against the run in the SEC this season and appear to be poised to add to their stockpile of talent that already includes sophomore Tevin Beanum and juniors Taiwan Johnson and Jeremiah Lebetter.
Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith have already received commitments from four-star defensive end McTelvin Agim, as well as defensive tackles Austin Capps and Briston Guidry, both of whom are considered four-star talents. Arkansas is also in the running with South Carolina and Tennessee for three-star defensive end Keir Thomas, who decommitted recently from Florida State. The Miami native expects to announce his decision on Christmas Eve.
OUTLOOK
As offensive line recruit Jake Heinrich told Arkansasonline.com, the program’s family feel is what attracted him to committing with Arkansas. That’s a testament to Bielema’s ability to return the program into a viable SEC destination. And the fact that other teams keep attempting to poach his assistants says he’s doing something right. Arkansas isn’t without some holes on its depth chart, but Bielema appears to be addressing those issues and doing so with some quality talent. The coach isn’t on the hot seat, but fans and boosters alike are going to start demanding that the Razorbacks turn the corner and truly compete for an SEC West title in Bielema’s fourth year at the helm.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
