FAYETTEVILLE — Seven practices into fall camp, a handful of freshmen seem to be separating themselves as potential contributors for Arkansas football in 2024.
In fact, two of those true freshmen found themselves thrust into starting spots during Wednesday’s practice. Sure, that was largely because of the Razorbacks’ mounting injuries, but it was still telling to see them in those roles ahead of older players.
Perhaps the most notable of the pair is wide receiver CJ Brown, as he’s actually received first-team reps each of the last two days in fall camp after a surprisingly productive spring.
The opportunity came about because Tyrone Broden has been limited, being held out of the lone team period during the portion of Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices open to the media. On Wednesday, Andrew Armstrong was absent, as well.
That led to Wednesday’s starting trio of receivers being projected starter Isaiah Sategna in the slot with Brown and Jaedon Wilson as the two outside receivers.
Brown getting the first-team reps on Tuesday was even more significant because it indicated he’s ahead of Wilson in the wide receiver pecking order. The Bentonville native could also be ahead of Isaac TeSlaa, but that might be harder to determine based on that lone period since TeSlaa – while capable of playing on the outside – has been working more in the slot this fall.
It would be hard to imagine Brown supplanting Broden, Armstrong or Sategna in the starting unit, barring injury, but he definitely appears to be in the mix for significant reps as part of the receiver rotation this year. That’s not too bad for a three-star recruit who was tabbed as the 102nd-best player at his position in the 2024 class by the 247Sports Composite, but still had to fend off coaches from other schools who wanted to dislodge him from his commitment last fall.
On the other side of the ball, Selman Bridges took first-team reps at cornerback opposite of Jaylon Braxton on Wednesday.
The Razorbacks were without Jaheim Singletary, who was also limited in Tuesday’s practice, and Kee’yon Stewart was bumped down to the second unit after being shaken up during a 1-on-1 period the day before.
Injuries might have played a role in him being with the first unit now, but there is a legitimate scenario in which Bridges works his way into the lineup similar to how Braxton did last year.
After all, he was the No. 99 overall recruit in the country, according to ESPN, and defensive backs coach Deron Wilson mentioned his 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame is comparable to the rangy defenders in the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary.
“He looks like one of those guys,” Wilson said earlier this week. “When you have length and you can run…you could play low hip, meaning a little bit under a receiver, and you’re still covering the receiver up, right? It makes it harder on quarterbacks, because they can’t see the receiver.
“Selman, I always tell him, ‘Man, I’m on you a lot, but just remember Jaylon Braxton was in this position last year and he continued to climb and trust the process.’ When you trust the process you’re going to reach the standards.”
A few other true freshmen who have received some second-team reps this fall include:
- DE Charlie Collins
- DB Ahkhari Johnson
- DB Tevis Metcalf
- RB Braylen Russell
- LB Bradley Shaw
Fall Camp Observations — Day 7
Here are a few other observations from the media’s viewing period of the seventh day of fall camp…
- After their first day of full pads on Tuesday, the Razorbacks were back in “spiders” – light padding opposed to shoulder pads – in anticipation of what will be another full-pad day for Thursday’s scrimmage.
- Although he was back at practice after missing the previous day, right tackle Keyshawn Blackstock ran with the second unit during the lone team period seen by reporters Wednesday. Syracuse transfer Joe More remained with the first-team offensive line. One thing his return allowed was Ty’Kieast Crawford to slide back over to right guard.
- Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson was back at practice after not being seen Tuesday, but he was clearly not quite 100%, as he was walking around gingerly during individual drills.
- Defensive end Anton Juncaj (fifth day) and defensive back Marquise Robinson (third day) once again did not dress out, but did walk around the practice fields and didn’t have any obvious physical ailments. On Wednesday, they were joined by walk-on defensive end Jon Hill.
- Anthony Switzer and Larry Worth III got reps at linebacker and nickel, respectively, during the team period witnessed by the media. They’ve both spent time at each position during fall camp. When they split into individual drills, Switzer remained with the linebackers, but Worth appeared to do some things with both positions.
Arkansas Football Injury Report
Here’s a rundown of several Arkansas football players who are dealing with injuries…
- LG Patrick Kutas (undisclosed): Has missed the last five practices.
- RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (undisclosed): Was not at Tuesday’s practice, but returned Wednesday and was limited (didn’t do the team period), moving around gingerly during individual drills.
- RT Keyshawn Blackstock (undisclosed): Was not at Tuesday’s practice, but returned Wednesday.
- DE Anton Juncaj (undisclosed): Has not dressed out, but watched the last five practices from the sideline.
- CB Marquise Robinson (undisclosed): Has not dressed out, but watched the last three practices from the sideline.
- DE Jon Hill (undisclosed): Did not dress out, but joined Juncaj and Robinson on the sideline Wednesday.
- WR Andrew Armstrong (undisclosed): Appeared to get dinged up during Tuesday’s practice and was not spotted at Wednesday’s practice, but it’s not believed to be anything serious, per a UA spokesperson.
- WR Tyrone Broden (undisclosed): Limited for a second day in a row – participated in individual drills, but not the team period
- CB Jaheim Singletary (undisclosed): After being limited on Tuesday, he was not spotted during Wednesday’s practice.
- LB JuJu Pope (hamstring): Pittman mentioned on before fall camp that Pope would be limited for the first week of camp because of a hamstring injury. He has not practiced yet this fall.
- DB Jaden Allen (knee): Pittman said the freshman had “cartilage repair” done on his knee and that he’s not expected to play this season.
- LB Justin Logan (shoulder): After being limited and wearing a green non-contact jersey, Pittman said he probably won’t play this season.
- OL Zuri Madison (ACL): Missed the spring and will miss the 2024 season with a torn ACL suffered in a scooter accident.
See our latest here:
Arkansas Football Depth Chart
Here’s how the Razorbacks lined up during the “fastball starts” team period, which consisted of the first, second and third units running four 11-on-11 plays apiece…
Offense
| POS | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Taylen Green | Malachi Singleton | KJ Jackson |
| RB | Rodney Hill | Braylen Russell | Tyrell Reed Jr. |
| TE | Luke Hasz | Var’keyes Gumms | n/a |
| WR | Jaedon Wilson | Davion Dozier | Rykar Acebo |
| WR | Isaiah Sategna | Isaac TeSlaa | Dazmin James |
| WR | CJ Brown | Monte Harrison | Bryce Stephens Krosse Johnson |
| LT | Fernando Carmona | E’Marion Harris | Aaron Smith |
| LG | Addison Nichols | Brooks Edmonson | Tommy Varhall |
| C | Amaury Wiggins | Tim Dawn | Josh Street |
| RG | Joshua Braun | Ty’Kieast Crawford | Kobe Branham |
| RT | Joe More | Keyshawn Blackstock | Jonas Nantze |
Defense
| POS | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Landon Jackson | Quincy Rhodes Jr. | Kavion Henderson |
| DT | Cam Ball | Keivie Rose | Kaleb James |
| DT | Eric Gregory | Ian Geffrard | Danny Saili |
| DE | Nico Davillier | Charlie Collins | Donovan Whitten |
| LB | Brad Spence | Anthony Switzer | Kaden Henley |
| LB | Xavian Sorey Jr. | Stephen Dix Jr. | Bradley Shaw |
| CB | Jaylon Braxton | Kee’yon Stewart | Braylon Watson |
| NB | Doneiko Slaughter | Tevis Metcalf | Jabrae Shaw |
| S | Hudson Clark | TJ Metcalf | Ahkhari Johnson |
| S | Jayden Johnson | Miguel Mitchell | Christian Ford |
| CB | Selman Bridges | Aidan McCowan | Landon Phipps |
Post-Practice Interviews
Defensive line coach Deke Adams, as well as defensive tackle Eric Gregory and defensive ends Landon Jackson and Nico Davillier, met with reporters following Wednesday’s practice.
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More coverage of Arkansas football and fall camp from BoAS…
