FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas will begin football practice on early Friday morning as they prepare for the season opener on Aug. 30 against Alabama A&M.
An advantage the Razorbacks hold over several other SEC schools is the return of starting quarterback Taylen Green. In 2024 his first season with the Razorbacks, Green completed 210 of 381 passes for 3,154 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Green was second on the team in rushing with 156 carries for 602 yards and eight touchdowns.
Arkansas' Sam Pittman is pleased that Green is his quarterback after he transferred in from Boise State following the 2023 season.
"We've talked about Taylen and how competitive he is, how much of a leader he is, all those things," Pittman said. "He went to the Manning Passing Camp. I think he did wonderful down there. He finished 40 yards from the all-time total offensive record for the University of Arkansas last year. 40 yards away from that. And he was hurt the last eight games of the season."
One thing that Green won't have from last season is the nine leading receivers from 2024. Running back Rodney Hill is the leading returner in catches with eight for 68 yards. At wide receiver, CJ Brown returns after catching five passes for 62 yards. The Razorbacks also return Monte Harrison with two receptions for 29 yards. The Razorbacks went to the transfer portal to help restock the postion.
"At wide receiver I think we've got about eight, maybe nine, that can play in in league," Pittman said. "Whom they are, who will run out there with the first group and all that, we're going to run somebody out there August 1 with the first group. Is that going to be the first group? I don't know.
"We have Jalen (Brown) and C.J. Brown. I love our slots. Raylen Sharpe and Kam Shanks. I really like those two guys. I think we've significantly upgraded with both of those guys. I really like that.
"Then on the other side at wideouts we have O'Mega Blake, Monte Harrison, we have Andy Jean, and we have whom I think is a supreme talent in Antonio Jordan. I know he's a freshman, but we've seen enough out of him this summer in his off-season workout in the weight room and his running ability that we think he can help us, too. You can add Courtney Crutchfield into that group, too."
Brown, Sharpe, Shanks, Blake, Jean and Crutchfield came in from the transfer portal. Jordan is a true freshman from Warren. At 6-foot-6, 234-pounds Jordan is expected to be another in a long line of talented wide receivers from Warren.
The tight end position will also have a lot of new faces. Andreas Paaske returns after only catching three passes for 19 yards, but two of the receptions went for touchdowns. The Hogs brought in Jaden Platt and Rohan Jones from the transfer portal after Luke Hasz departed for Ole Miss.
"Tight end-wise. Rohan Jones, very talented guy," Pittman said. "Fast. Very talented. Andreas Paaske. He's coming back. He can do both. I'm not saying Rohan can't do both, but we're going to send him deep. He can run. Andreas, good player. Can do both, can catch and can block. Can do both.
"Now, Jaden Platt. Platt is a guy that can do both. We got him from A&M. You got to add Maddox Lassiter in there, as well."
The offensive line is expected to be one of the most improved units on the team. Left tackle Fernando Carmona has moved to left guard. Georgia Tech transfer Corey Robinson II takes over at left tackle.
The center is UCF transfer Caden Kitler. On the right side, Arkansas has several still battling for spots. Among them are Kobe Branham, E'Marion Harris, Keyshawn Blackstock and Oregon transfer Shaq McRoy among others.
The Hogs will practice at 6:20 am on Friday.