FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks brought some high-tech elements to their first day of spring drills on Thursday, including a drone that filmed segments of practice and a headset for Coach Chad Morris to shout out commands over loudspeakers.
Morris came away from the nearly 2 1/2-hour workout feeling good about his first practice with the Razorbacks.
"Great energy. I was really proud of our players the way they responded to the first day," Morris said. "We're a long way away, but I thought the guys have been learning. There was very little newness for those guys. ... They looked like they knew what they were doing and that's a start."
The sun broke out for the first of 15 work days of spring, the first sunny day in Northwest Arkansas after several days of rain and overcast skies, adding a brightness to the outdoor work in shorts and helmets.
Morris said wearing a headset and having players jet from one practice field to the other is by design, to help with continuous conditioning and getting used to sudden changes during games.
"They've got to see that if you're juiceful, you're useful, and that's got to start with the head coach," Morris said.
There were a few periods that had to be slowed down to get things right, Morris said, but overall he gave the first workout under his tutelage a thumbs up.
"Overall, the energy level was extremely high, which is what we expect every day," he said. "Our coaching staff did a really good job having our players prepared, and I definitely think our coaches, especially those who haven't been with me in the past, they were just as awestruck by the pace of practice as the players were."
Morris did not assess the quarterbacks individually, saying the group, led by Cole Kelley, Ty Storey and Daulton Hyatt, got plenty of reps.
"They missed a few balls," he said. "Obviously they overthrew, underthrew. You could definitely tell the timing was off. There were some decent throws at times. Again, they're drinking from a fire hose, also.
"It's by design. We wanted to try to over-exaggerate the pace of some of the periods just to let them know this is the way this thing is going to roll. I mean, they did OK."
Three players led the stretch period -- linebacker De'Jon Harris, safety Santos Ramirez and offensive guard Hjalte Froholdt -- after they had been identified by teammates as team leaders in early voting after Morris' arrival.
Players in green jerseys, meaning no contact, were receivers Jared Cornelius and Koilan Jackson.
Defensive lineman Briston Guidry and receiver Kofi Boateng both wore yellow, no-practice jerseys, though Guidry did some group work with position coach John Scott Jr. on stances.
Defensive back Kevin Richardson, who was a senior last season, also wore green, as he is petitioning for a sixth season from the NCAA. Morris said Richardson has not been certified for a sixth year yet, but has been cleared to practice.
Defensive lineman Austin Capps, who will be limited during the spring following an unspecified surgery, according to Morris, was not dressed out.
Quarterbacks wear black jerseys in the Morris system and they are off limits in the pocket and can only be "thudded" on designed runs.
An array of former Razorbacks were in attendance Thursday, from Bijhon Jackson off last year's team to players from recent years like Hunter Henry, Chris Gragg, Robert Thomas and Alan Turner.
Additionally, a large array of high school coaches were on hand with special invitations from Morris and his staff. Morris said he encourages the coaches to interact with players, ask questions and be involved.
"If we need them to get out of the way, we'll tell them to get out of the way. Otherwise, get right up in it," Morris said. "Listen to it. Watch how we're coaching. If we're so fortunate enough to be able to coach one of their players, you want to make sure they're sending them to a place they're being coached well and treated right."
Morris said there were probably 30 to 35 high school coaches at Thursday's practice.
The Razorbacks resume their on-field workouts Saturday with a full-pad practice and some live periods. Morris said he expects that to be smoother.
"I'll be very disappointed if we come out here Saturday and the energy level is not better than it was today," he said. "That's just who we are. The more you get to know me and know our staff and know the way we practice, there is no time to drag around.
"We'll take the momentum ... we'll build on that and we'll put the pads on Saturday and there will be some hitting going on and just kind of see where we're at."
Sports on 03/02/2018