There is no SEC team losing more on offense than Arkansas.
The Razorbacks lost starting quarterback Brandon Allen, running backs Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, tight end Hunter Henry and offensive linemen Denver Kirkland, Mitch Smothers and Sebastian Tretola this offseason — as well as former offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who took the same position on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia.
Seven players. But, frankly, it’s not just the quantity of the departures but the quality. Collins and Williams were the best rushing tandem in the SEC from 2013-14 before Williams missed the entire 2015 campaign recovering from foot surgery.
Collins, who split carries with the elder Williams since enrolling, recorded a career-best 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns on 271 carries. It was the third time the junior reached the 1,000-yard plateau during his career, which was due in part to running behind one of the SEC’s best offensive lines.
But new running backs coach Reggie Mitchell, formerly at Kansas, and line coach Kurt Anderson, who served as the assistant line coach for the Buffalo Bills, will both need to replace multiple starters at their respective position groups.
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos also needs to focus on replacing his passing attack after losing both a veteran quarterback in Allen and the nation’s top tight end in Henry. There are so many questions for the Razorbacks on offense that need to be solved.
Let’s take a look at who can step in at each vacant position.
Quarterback
Many believe Austin Allen is the favorite to replace his older brother as Arkansas’ starting quarterback in 2016. Allen is the most experienced returning passer on the Razorbacks’ roster and has seen minimal time late in games.
Head coach Bret Bielema called Allen the “favorite” to work with the first group in January according to swtimes.com. The rising junior could nab the starting job based on his familiarity, but he will need to outlast two former 4-star prospects.
Ty Storey was ranked as the No. 9 pro-style quarterback in the 2015 national recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite ratings, and was an early enrollee but didn’t see any action in his first year. Neither did Ricky Town, who was forced to redshirt after deciding to transfer from USC just before the 2015 season. Town ranked as the No. 6 pro-style quarterback and has drawn comparisons to Ryan Mallet.
Both quarterbacks should pressure Allen this offseason but it’s Town who seems to have the slight edge. Why else would he choose to join Arkansas — a team that would need to replace its senior quarterback — right after he regained eligibility, if not to start?
Running backs
Both Kody Walker and Rawleigh Williams III saw playing time behind Collins in 2015, although their carries came at different times. Williams shined early with 254 yards and a touchdown on 56 attempts before missing his last six games recovering from a neck injury. Walker recorded 394 yards and six scores on 90 attempts and averaged 12 carries per game during his teammate’s absence.
Walker could have the edge considering his late push and Williams’ health concerns. However, Williams is expected to make a full recovery in 2016 and Arkansas could continue to split touches among both backs as it did with Collins and Williams during their first two seasons together.
Tight End
Henry leaves big shoes to fill as the 2015 Mackey Award winner and an All-SEC first teamer, but rising senior Jeremy Sprinkle managed to be productive despite playing behind the nation’s best tight end.
Sprinkle led all SEC tight ends with six touchdowns and had 389 yards — which ranked fifth — on 27 receptions. There is also depth behind him with two 4-star prospects from Arkansas’ 2015 class in C.J. O’Grady and Will Gragg.
(Photo by Chris Brashers/Icon Sportswire)
Offensive Line
Bielema brought the gritty Big Ten style rushing attack with him from Wisconsin when he took over at Arkansas in December 2012, but he will have a difficult task replacing three starters while bringing in a new OL coach in Anderson. Of the Razorbacks’ returning backups — freshmen Johnny Gibson, Josh Allen, Zach Rogers and Brian Wallace — none of them played many snaps in 2015, so the lack of experience is a huge concern.
However, the young prospects are expected to be a talented group and will play alongside veterans Dan Skipper and Frank Ragnow. There should be growing pains but Arkansas has consistently proven to have one of the conference’s best offensive lines during Bielema’s tenure.
Obviously, the expectations are lower in 2016, but that doesn’t mean the Razorbacks won’t be a surprise in the trenches.
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