Possibly LSU’s biggest football rival, the Arkansas Razorbacks, is coming off what coach Houston Nutt said was a good spring practice.
“I feel like we had a good off-season,” Nutt said. “There are a lot of holes, a lot of vacancies. But we had a really good attitude. We only have eight seniors so we’re looking for them to step up along with some of our juniors.”
The Razorbacks are returning 42 lettermen and six starters. They lost 24 seniors and had five junior-casualties for the NFL Draft.
Nutt said he feels the depth at the running back position was a strong point of the team’s spring.
“Decori Birmingham came back and did a good job this spring,” Nutt said. “De’Arrius Howard had a good spring. Decori is more of a speed back and De’Arrius is more of a power runner. Kyle Dickerson has been a good backup. Brandon Kennedy took over the fullback duties. Those guys showed up and [produced] during the spring.”
Last year, Birmingham played in all 13 games for the Razorbacks, starting two of them. He had 88 rushing attempts for 549 yards and three touchdowns averaging 6.2 yards a carry. He also had 17 catches out of the backfield gaining 186 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He returned seven punts for 89 yards and 11 kickoffs for 203 yards. Howard played in 10 games, rushing 95 times for 267 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 2.8 yards a carry.
The Razorbacks lack depth in the secondary, but Nutt hopes the eight signees come in and produce.
“Michael Cole had an outstanding spring,” Nutt said. “We cross-trained Lorenzo Robinson between safety and cornerback. Chris Houston, a redshirt from last year had a good spring. [These are] brand new names and we signed eight in the secondary, and we’re waiting for those guys to come. Vickiel Vaughn had an excellent spring and has the starting position at free safety and Lorenzo Robinson is at the other safety. The true freshmen are going to have to come in and be ready to go on day one.”
Razorback quarterback Matt Jones is back and Nutt said he could see time at wide receiver.
“[Jones] did [get reps at wide receiver],” Nutt said. “Obviously he got most of the reps at quarterback, and I felt like he was more committed to show more leadership and when he’s at wide receiver he has a tremendous advantage there against a 5’9″ or 5’10” corner. He stands 6’6″ and shows great athleticism.”
Jones played in all 13 games last year for the Razorbacks, starting nine of them. He attempted 230 passes, completing 132 of them for a 57.4 completion percentage, 1917 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran 96 times gaining 707 yards and scoring 8 touchdowns.
In the Razorbacks’ final scrimmage game, quarterback Robert Johnson hit wide receiver Matt Jones for a 51-yard touchdown for the first score.
Nutt said he would like to play Jones at wide receiver.
“We wanted to put him in at wide receiver with Robert Johnson [at quarterback],” Nutt said. “He caught a couple good passes. He is a game breaker and we are going to use him in different ways, because I think he can help us win a ball game. He is definitely the No. 1 quarterback.”
Jones went 1-for-1 for four yards and a touchdown, Johnson went 3-for-12 for 78 yards a touchdown and an interception.
Birmingham carried four times for 25 yards. Howard carried six times for 29 yards.