Razorbacks report

Marshall back with added zip

Arkansas running back Korliss Marshall returns a kick 86 yards during the third quarter of a game against Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas running back Korliss Marshall returns a kick 86 yards during the third quarter of a game against Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE - The Arkansas tailbacks haven’t been extremely flashy in the scrimmages or the practices media members, but apparently sophomore Korliss Marshall had a big day last Tuesday after returning from a health issue that had kept him out for several workouts.

“Korliss jumped back in on Tuesday,” Coach Bret Bielema said after Saturday’s practice, the 12th for the Razorbacks this spring. “Tuesday was a freak show. He had a couple of runs Tuesday that were off the charts. I think everyone recognizes … just how exciting he is at that position.”

Redshirt freshman Denzel Evans got plenty of carries in the scrimmages behind the one-two punch of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, who combined for 1,926 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Add big-back Kody Walker to the equation, and the Razorbacks look to have plenty of options to carry the ball next fall.

Line games

Arkansas continues to audition players at center in its search to replace four year starter Travis Swanson.

Junior Mitch Smothers, who earlier in the spring was the first-team left guard, started at center on Saturday.

Senior Luke Charpentier, who began the spring at center, played first-team left guard. Sophomore Cordale Boyd, who also has gotten first-team snaps at center and worked at guard, was the second-team center Saturday.

The rest of the first-team offensive line is right tackle Brey Cook, left tackle Dan Skipper and right guard Denver Kirkland, and they appear to have those spots locked up.

The second-team line Saturday, in addition to Boyd, had Austin Beck and Marcus Danehauer at the tackles and Grady Ollison and Johnathan McClure at the guards.

“We shuffled some guys around in the offensive line … trying to find our best combination there,” Coach Bret Bielema said.

“We’ll have a couple of guys audition for that spot in the fall as well between a couple of recruits.”

Offensive linemen in the Razorbacks’ signing class are Frank Ragnow, Jovan Pruitt, Brian Wallace and Sebastian Tretola.

Watch your tweets

Bret Bielema said senior Tiquention Coleman - who has been practicing at outside linebacker in addition to safety - was placed “on Twitter arrest” for a recent post complaining about the move.

Bielema said the coaches are giving Coleman a look at linebacker to help his chances for getting on the field more.

“We know TQ is very powerful. He likes the physicality of the game and can run,” Bielema said. “He’s more engaged than he ever has been.

“I think he loves to compete. and if he does well on the field and continues to do well off the field, we’ll continue to find a role for him.”

Mitchel out

Cornerback Tevin Mitchel did not practice this week because of a hamstring injury and probably won’t be ready for the Red-White game next Saturday.

“The good news is to that point he had played as good as I have ever seen him play,” Bret Bielema said. “Off the field, everything was going in the right direction.”

Beliema said Mitchel has been elected to the Hog Council - a leadership group with players from each class - and talked to the team recently.

“I thought he said some really good things,” Bielema said. “That kid has just grown so much the last six months.”

Bielema said Mitchel should be ready for the start of fall camp in August.

Sports, Pages 33 on 04/20/2014

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