Just a week ago, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema floated around the idea of using a redshirt on senior cornerback Tevin Mitchel, due to a preseason hamstring injury.

“He’s getting better and I think he’s excited about the progress, but obviously…you know there’s a redshirt available to him if that ends up being the case,” Bielema said.

A week later, Mitchel’s progression has accelerated and now it appears the former SEC All-Freshman is planning on playing Saturday afternoon against Texas Tech in Lubbock.

“Tevin practiced yesterday and we’re involving him in the game plan this week,” Bielema said. “He was significantly better than last week. We put him in and did some testing things with him over the weekend and he practiced yesterday. He performed very well…so Tevin may get involved, depending on how he holds up after [Wednesday’s] practice.”

The impending return of Mitchel is welcomed news for the Razorbacks defense, especially for a relatively young, inexperienced group of cornerbacks sans Mitchel. At this point in the season, it’s been the Razorbacks’ secondary that’s produced the most question marks. Poor play recognition and poor tackling has hindered the cornerbacks, who struggled against the big, physical wideouts against Auburn.

Bielema echoed those sentiments, saying Mitchel’s experience would be a valuable addition to that position group.

“He brings a lot of value and experience [to the cornerbacks],” Bielema said during the SEC Media Teleconference. “Experience that he’s had playing the game of college football and letting the other guys know how things need to be done.”

Entering last season, Mitchel was considered one of the conference’s best coverage corner, but the Mansfield, Texas native posted a very forgettable junior season with 47 tackles and only one interception. Bielema praised the improvements Mitchel made in the offseason – both physically and mentally – but Mitchel’s senior season was delayed after a nagging hamstring injury kept him out of the first two weeks of action. It now appears the hamstring is no longer hindering his ability on the field.

“He was flying around today, making plays, so to me he looked like the old Tevin,” cornerback Carroll Washington said.

Despite participating in practice, there is no guarantee No. 8 will suit up against the Red Raiders. Bielema stressed, however, Mitchel is much more upbeat this week and is ready to get out on the field and help his teammates take down Texas Tech.

“I’m guardedly optimistic because of what he’s gone through in the past with the leg injuries,” Bielema said. “He was really down and a lot of times those things are mental recovery as they are physical recovery, but he was very upbeat. I get the idea that he’s really excited to get out there, especially playing a team like Texas Tech who throws the ball around.”

The Red Raiders Air Raid offense is obviously predicated on throwing the football. Undoubtedly, the addition of Mitchel and his coverage ability against an offense that heavily relies on the passing attack cannot be understated. Even if Mitchel is only partially available for Saturday’s game, the senior’s presence amongst the cornerbacks should be a huge boost for a team hungry to make a statement in Lubbock.