FAYETTEVILLE -- The long layoff between the regular-season finale and the Belk Bowl has brought some flux to the Arkansas Razorbacks' roster.
Coach Bret Bielema said on Monday he expected three or four early enrollees to be in position to practice today, while injuries and rehabilitation have continued to shape the depth chart with Arkansas nine days out from a date against No. 22 Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and running back Kody Walker, who have both been out since a 49-30 loss to No. 1 Alabama on Oct. 8, might be inching closer toward playing against the Hokies, Bielema said.
Meanwhile, senior receiver Cody Hollister, recently underwent foot surgery that will end his college career.
"I actually think it was something that happened a couple of weeks prior," Bielema said. "He felt it, didn't really say anything. Then it really irritated him, bothered him after the Missouri game. They went in, took a picture, and he needed to have surgery."
Hollister, a senior from Bend, Ore., had 10 receptions for 140 yards and 2 carries for 38 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown. Hollister also did good work on special teams with eight tackles.
"I couldn't be prouder of a kid who, what he did this year on special teams was second to none," Bielema said. "He obviously did a great job for us at wide receiver as well, and he's just a neat kid to be around."
Bielema said he expects between nine and 11 early enrollees on campus next semester and at least three to go through bowl practices on campus this week. Three offensive line signees, in-state standout Kirby Adcock of Nashville, Shane Clenin of Festus, Mo., and Dalton Wagner of Richmond, Ill., are believed to be in position to participate in bowl practices before the Razorbacks leave for Charlotte.
Greenlaw, a sophomore linebacker from Fayetteville, has continued to practice in his recovery from a broken foot, though a decision to make him game-ready or not is still pending, Bielema said.
Walker, a sixth-year senior who has undergone multiple surgeries on his legs, hand and foot the past six years, is nearly back from his latest, a procedure on his foot in October.
"Kody Walker will have another X-ray done [Monday] and that'll probably give us a good indication if he can be included in the game plan," Bielema said. "I know he's anxious and eager.
"It's healed up very, very nicely and there's a very good chance of that happening. That'll be determined a little bit more towards the time we go down there for our preparation down in Charlotte."
Bielema said junior receiver Jared Cornelius hasn't been given full clearance in his recovery from a bruised knee, but Bielema said he expects Cornelius, the team's fourth-leading receiver and top punt returner, to be back within a week.
Cornelius was injured on an end around late in the first half of Arkansas' 28-24 loss at Missouri on Nov. 25.
"J-Red isn't full practice, but I think by this time next week there's a very good chance of that happening," Bielema said, referencing Cornelius by his nickname.
Cornelius has 32 receptions for 515 yards and 4 touchdowns and averages 16.1 yards per catch. He also has 53 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries as well as 12 punt returns for 85 yards.
Sports on 12/20/2016