Three position battles to watch in spring football

FAYETTEVILLE — Recruiting is the priority right now at Arkansas with the coaches spread around the country checking out prospects particularly the Class of 2025 on up.

The Class of 2024 is pretty much taken care of until the next portal window opens following spring ball. Arkansas will likely look at add a linebacker or two, defensive tackle or two and an interior offensive lineman at that time. They signed 30 players, including 17 from high school, in the early signing period. Of that group, 26 are on campus now and will go through spring drills.

Speaking of spring drills, some interesting battles will take place during the 15 practices. Here’s a look at three positions where battles will take place.

Quarterback

Jacolby Criswell backed up KJ Jefferson last season after transferring in from North Carolina. Criswell completed 17-of-27 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 23 times for 44 yards. He’s a good runner, but was sacked five times in his limited action.

As a redshirt sophomore at Boise State, Taylen Green completed 121-of-212 passes for 4,752 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed 78 times for 436 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named MVP of the Mountain West Conference championship game in a win over UNLV. Green completed 12-of-15 passes 226 yards and two touchdowns. In that game, Green also rushed eight times for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

The two will also have competition from redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton, true freshman KJ Jackson and Austin Ledbetter, who walked on after leaving the Diamond Hogs. Ledbetter was an outstanding quarterback at Bryant High School, but opted to pitch for Dave Van Horn’s Razorbacks. Singleton and Jackson both were four-star recruits in high school. Both have outstanding credentials.

Running Back

Gone are quarterback KJ Jefferson and running backs Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and AJ Green. Jefferson led the team in rushing. Green was second on the team in rushing and Sanders fourth.

The leading rusher who returns is Rashod Dubinion. He rushed 82 times for 260 yards and a touchdown. Dubinion also pulled in 14 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He will obviously be in the hunt to earn the start.

The Hogs added Ja’Quinden Jackson from the transfer portal. He topped Utah in rushing with 161 carries for 797 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson caught nine passes for 53 yards. Jackson is expected to be in the mix for a starting spot.

As a true freshman in 2023, Isaiah Augustave got to see action later in the season. He carried 35 times for 202 yards and a touchdown. Augustave also caught three passes for seven yards. His performances later in the season were impressive enough to believe he also will challenge for a starting spot.

Dominique Johnson has battled knee injuries at Arkansas, but has never stopped rehabbing and working to get back onto the field. He certainly has shown the attitude that is a welcomed thing in this day and age. Last fall. he carried 31 times for 167 yards and a touchdown. He caught a pair of passes for four yards. Johnson is considered an outstanding blocker.

Braylen Russell is a true freshman from Benton High School. Sam Pittman has said he expects Russell to play as a true freshman. At Benton, Russell rushed 167 times for 1,359 yards and 20 touchdowns. He caught 18 passes for 351 yards and five touchdowns. Russell didn’t play the entire game many times due to the Panthers blowing out teams.

Linebacker

Arkansas saw four linebackers hit transfer portal including both starters. Chris “Pooh” Paul left for Ole Miss and Jaheim Thomas opted for Wisconsin. Jordan Crook is at Arizona State and Mani Powell also entered the transfer portal. Georgia transfer Xavien Sorey is someone eyes will be on this spring. The former five-star recruit is expected to play a huge role for Arkansas.

It’s very likely Arkansas signs another linebacker or two from the transfer portal. The returning scholarship linebackers are Brad Spence, Alex Sanford, Carson Dean and Kaden Henley. A couple of walk-on linebackers to watch this spring are Harrison’s Brooks Both and Arkadelphia’s Donovan Whitten.

The Hogs signed Bradley Shaw, Wyatt Simmons and Justin Logan from high school in the Class of 2024. Logan will go through spring drills while Simmons and Shaw will arrive in late May or early June.

It would appear Sorey will start and the battle at the other spot seems wide open.