Hogs need more All-SEC additions for success in 2024

FAYETTEVILLE — Following the SEC Media Days Arkansas only placed one player on the All-SEC teams announced Friday.

Defensive end Landon Jackson was the lone Razorback named as he was put on the second-team defensive line. Arkansas has to have more players shine in 2024 than just one and need to have many more on the All-SEC teams announced following the year.

Arkansas was 4-8 in 2023 and thus the lack of players earning preseason respect. Here’s a look at five players who if they have a big year in 2024 and gain All-SEC honors following the season then Arkansas will likely have had success on the field.

Jaylon Braxton, CB, 6-0, 190, Sophomore

Really emerged in the season after a so-so spring just out of Frisco (Texas) Lone Star High School. Braxton saw extensive action in the season opener and saw his playing time continue to increase as the season played out. Braxton moved into a starting role and is one of the leaders for Arkansas’ secondary. In nine games, Braxton had 20 tackles, 11 solo, one interception, eight pass breakups, forced a fumble and recovered one against Florida returning it 33 yards for a touchdown. If Braxton continues to improve then him making All-SEC doesn’t seem that far-fetched. He has good cover skills and has shown why he was a four-star recruit in high school.

Taylen Green, QB, 6-6, 223, Redshirt Junior

This would require a great season from Green and some luck to go with it. The three quarterbacks named All-SEC Friday are all going to be hard to replace. Georgia’s Carson Beck, Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe are all on outstanding teams which helps when it comes to making All-SEC. Beck and Ewers in particular will be among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy as well. So this may be a longshot for Green, but if he had a season good enough to maybe edge out Milroe that means the Hogs were probably very successful on the field. Green had some issues with consistency and interceptions at Boise State last season, but playing for Bobby Petrino will likely fix any issues with consistency. Green can run and throw and is the perfect quarterback for Petrino-type offense. As noted, it will be very hard barring injuries to Beck and Ewers to move them out of two spots for quarterback, but Green could make an interesting case with Milroe if he meets and exceeds the expectations for this fall.

Fernando Carmona, OT, 6-5, 324, Redshirt Junior

It was a little surprising to not see Carmona on one of the three teams announced Friday. He was one of Arkansas’ prizes from the transfer portal along with Green and some others. If Carmona stays healthy I think it’s a safe bet he will be honored on the All-SEC teams announced following the season. He is that good. The former San Jose State standout has taken over the left tackle spot and should help the Arkansas offensive line show vast improvement over that unit in 2023. Carmona could be a candidate for first-team All-SEC if he has the season expected and Arkansas’ team has success on the field. He has the size. footwork and talent to make it very likely he plays on Sundays in the future.

Luke Hasz, TE, 6-3, 230, Sophomore

If Hasz stays healthy in 2024 and Arkansas has success on the field it’s hard to imagine Hasz not being on some All-SEC teams. He’s among the best tight ends in the nation. He was injured early in the Texas A&M game and lost for the remainder of the season. As a true freshman, Hasz caught 16 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He has great hands and runs outstanding routes. Arkansas has had two Mackey Award winners since joining the SEC and it would make sense that Hasz could make that three before he is finished in Fayetteville. Much like Green, Hasz will benefit from the Petrino offense. He was outstanding last season when much of the offense was struggling under Dan Enos. Expect Hasz to definitely make All-SEC this season.

Andrew Armstrong, WR, 6-4, 199, Redshirt Senior

This was a close call between Armstrong and defensive tackle Cameron Ball. I almost went with Ball, but once again I factored in Petrino. Armstrong led the Hogs in receptions in 2023 with 56 catches for 764 yards and five touchdowns. If Armstrong could do that in Enos’ offense one can imagine what could happen with Petrino calling the plays. It’s not only Petrino, but the offensive line figures to be much better in 2024 than last season. It’s expected that Green can and will get the ball to Armstrong. Arkansas needs both Armstrong and Ball to have big seasons in 2024. Armstrong could have entered the 2024 NFL Draft, but opted for another season with the Hogs.