FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ passing game has been mostly sizzling throughout camp, with a new wave of receivers rising up to complement Cobi Hamilton and Chris Gragg.
The running game isn’t off to such a hot start in the limited live tackling the Razorbacks have gone through with an 81-play scrimmage and 25 live snaps Thursday.
“We keep track in every practice what we’re doing versus the run,” defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said. “We’ve been pretty good.
“We stress play the run first and we react to the pass. ... I’m pleased right now, so far, but we’ve still got a long way to go.”
The first two units on defense, many of them with younger players filling in, have each made a series of stops behind the line in live tackling.
Heacock on hand
Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock, the 2007 winner of the Frank Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the country, has been viewing practices and offering some advice to his protege Paul Haynes and the defensive staff.
“The guy’s a defensive genius, I believe,” Haynes said. “I wanted to get him out in the spring, actually, and it didn’t work out. I really want him around just to sit there and just evaluate personnel.”
Heacock, who visited with Sharday Johnson, wife of assistant head coach Taver Johnson, briefly after Thursday’s work, is scheduled to be in town through Saturday’s scrimmage.
Another TD
Brandon Mitchell has had a huge camp, catching dozens of passes and getting to the end zone often during skeleton sessions and team periods.
After grabbing a Tyler Wilson pass down the seam for a score Wednesday, Mitchell was talking before he hit the end zone.
“Another touchdown,” Mitchell shouted. “Y’all have got to learn how to hold me.” Star report
Javontee Herndon laid out nearly horizontal to haul in a long pass from Brandon Allen.
Cornerback Kaelon Kelleybrew snatched away a completed pass from a receiver who was blockedfrom view and headed the opposite direction during a team drill.
Mekale McKay adjusted his deep route by slowing up, letting a cornerback slide past him, then darting behind for the catch and a long gain on an Allen pass.
Cornerback Tevin Mitchel got his hand on a long pass from Tyler Wilson to Cobi Hamilton for a breakup, but later the offensive combo connected to beat Mitchel for a score.
Mitchel, safety Ross Rasner and tackle D.D. Jones all had pass breakups against Wilson in a short sequence of plays during a team period.
Personnel report
Linebacker Alonzo Highsmith and safety Eric Bennett continued their rehab work from leg injuries on the sidelines.
Tenarius Wright, the projected starter at the “mike” spot, put on a yellow no-contact jersey and went through some drills, three days after he was sidelined by a collision with Knile Davis.
“I think he’s probably ready,” defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said. “I think we’re just being a little cautious with him, just making sure he gets out there and gets a mental rep but not banging.”
Sophomore Alan Turner has taken first-team snaps at one safety spot in the nickel package.
Tailback Dennis Johnson was excused for a second consecutive day to be with his ailing grandmother in Texarkana, and tight end Brett Weir has not returned since coming out of practice last Saturday night.
Defensive tackle Lavunce Askew returned to practice after missing a couple of workouts.
Small steps
Senior Kiero Small worked at middle linebacker for a second consecutive day, taking reps at the spot behind freshman Otha Peters. He had a pass breakup Thursday and a few tackles in live periods Wednesday.
Small is still projected as the starting fullback, but he might get the call for two way action.
“It’d be hard not to love that kid,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “He’s tough. He gives you everything he can every play. He’s smart.
“So, for the team it’s great. Now, if it’s a scrimmage, I’d rather have him on our side of the ball.”
Sports, Pages 21 on 08/10/2012