He’s still at Arkansas and isn’t even the starter, but — like many football players — Jacolby Criswell has apparently already put some thought into how he would be rated on the popular Madden NFL video game.
The Razorbacks’ backup quarterback didn’t really hesitate and gave a thoughtful answer when asked about it on The Ridin’ Around Show with Noah Washington last month.
“If I’m being really skeptical about it, I’d put myself mid-80s, high 80s, honestly,” Criswell said. “But if I’m saying, ‘I know what I’m capable of and I know what I can do,’ I’d give myself a 97, for sure.”
That’s a lofty rating — behind Patrick Mahomes (99), but ahead of Joe Burrow (95) and every other quarterback — but it’d be hard to play better than he did in his Arkansas football debut.
Even though the Morrilton product and North Carolina transfer played just seven snaps, Criswell led the Razorbacks on a seven-play, 48-yard drive that included him completing 2 of 2 passes for 28 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown to Davion Dozier.
Barring injury to KJ Jefferson, he’ll have to wait until 2024 for his chance to become a starter — just in time for EA Sports’ scheduled relaunch of its popular college football game next summer.
For 15 former Arkansas football players, including Criswell’s brother, Dre Greenlaw, the wait to prove their Madden rating right or wrong ends this week.
The 2023 NFL season gets underway Thursday night with the Chiefs vs Lions, a game that features two former Razorbacks. The other 13 currently on 53-man rosters will play Sunday.
Here’s a rundown of those Pro Hogs, ranked by how they’re rated on Madden:
Arkansas Football Players in the NFL
1. Frank Ragnow — Lions — 88
- Week 1: Thursday at Kansas City (7:20 p.m. CT, NBC)
- Depth chart: Starting center
- NOTE: Coming off his second Pro Bowl selection, Ragnow is ranked as the third-best center in the NFL by Madden.
2. Dre Greenlaw — 49ers — 86
- Week 1: Sunday at Pittsburgh (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Starting WILL linebacker
- NOTE: Greenlaw posted a career-high 127 tackles in 15 games last season and is now ranked as the 10th-best outside linebacker in the NFL by Madden.
3. Kamren Curl — Commanders — 83
- Week 1: Sunday vs. Arizona (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Starting strong safety
- NOTE: Despite being limited to only 12 games last year, Curl still managed to finish the year with 83 tackles, including six tackles for loss, and is now ranked as the ninth-best strong safety in the NFL by Madden.
t-4. Hunter Henry — Patriots — 81
- Week 1: Sunday vs. Philadelphia (3:25 p.m. CT, CBS)
- Depth chart: Starting tight end
t-4. Deatrich Wise Jr. — Patriots — 81
- Week 1: Sunday vs. Philadelphia (3:25 p.m. CT, CBS)
- Depth chart: Starting left defensive end
6. Treylon Burks — Titans — 75
- Week 1: Sunday at New Orleans (noon CT, CBS)
- Depth chart: Starting wide receiver
- NOTE: Burks suffered a knee injury at practice on Aug. 16, but returned to practice less than two weeks later and was listed as a full participant at practice on the Titans’ injury report Wednesday, so it appears he’ll play Week 1.
7. Drew Sanders — Broncos — 72
- Week 1: Sunday vs. Las Vegas (3:25 p.m. CT, CBS)
- Depth chart: Backup inside linebacker
8. Ricky Stromberg — Commanders — 69
- Week 1: Sunday vs. Arizona (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Backup right guard
t-9. Jerry Jacobs — Lions — 67
- Week 1: Thursday at Kansas City (7:20 p.m. CT, NBC)
- Depth chart: Starting cornerback
t-9. Armon Watts — Steelers — 67
- Week 1: Sunday vs. San Francisco (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Third-string defensive tackle
t-11. Jeremiah Ledbetter — Jaguars — 66
- Week 1: Sunday at Indianapolis (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Backup nose tackle
t-11. John Ridgeway III — Commanders — 66
- Week 1: Sunday vs. Arizona (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Backup defensive tackle
13. Hjalte Froholdt — Cardinals — 65
- Week 1: Sunday at Washington (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Starting center
14. Montaric Brown — Jaguars — 64
- Week 1: Sunday at Indianapolis (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Backup cornerback
15. Brandon Allen — 49ers — 54
- Week 1: Sunday at Pittsburgh (noon CT, FOX)
- Depth chart: Third-string quarterback
- NOTE: Allen served as the Bengals’ backup to Joe Burrow the last three years, but signed with San Francisco this offseason.
Pro Hogs on Practice Squads
Five former Arkansas football players are on various practice squads around the league, with the lone rookie being wide receiver Matt Landers.
- McTelvin Agim — Colts — 66
- Matt Landers — Seahawks — 65
- Jonathan Marshall — Steelers — 64
- TJ Smith — Vikings — 61
- De’Jon Harris — Commanders — 60
Injured Pro Hogs
Four former Arkansas football players are with NFL teams, but unavailable to play because of injuries. That includes two on injured reserve, one on the “non-football injury” list and one on the physically unable to perform list. The latter of those is Trey Flowers, who would otherwise be one of the better Razorbacks in the league.
- Trey Flowers — Patriots (PUP) — 75
- Mike Woods — Browns (NFI) — 64
- Feleipe Franks — Falcons (IR) — 60
- Dalton Wagner — Raiders (IR) — N/A
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