Texas Football: Top Arkansas Offensive Players to Watch
The Texas defense will have its hands full with the Arkansas running game in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl. But the rushing attack shouldn’t be the only part of the Razorback offense the Longhorns focus on. Here is a look at Arkansas’ big weapons on offense and what they did this year to become the threats that they are.
Keon Hatcher – Wide Receiver
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Every team needs to have a receiver with size, especially if you play in the physical SEC. The 6-foot-2 Hatcher offers the height a quarterback wants when he needs his receiver to go up and get a ball. Hatcher hauled in a career-high 39 passes and had five touchdowns. He has scored touchdowns in back-to-back games, possibly signaling his emergence onto the big stage. Duke Thomas probably draws the assignment of covering Hatcher. This should be a great battle to watch.
Hunter Henry – Tight End
To compete in the SEC, you need two things – a run game and a reliable tight end. You need that guy who can get you a first down on 3-and-5. Henry was a Mackey Award candidate entering the season after a promising freshman campaign. He did not disappoint, finishing second on the team in receptions. Texas didn’t see many athletic tight ends in Big 12 play this year. Vance Bedford will have to figure out how to defense Henry – does he give the assignment to Jordan Hicks or Steve Edmond, or does it fall to a safety to run with the athletic tight end? If Henry gets loose for big third down conversions, the Texas defense could be in for a long day.
Nov 1, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks tight end Hunter Henry (84) at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeat the Razorbacks 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Allen – Quarterback
No one is going to mistake Allen for A.J. McCarron or Aaron Murray. The junior barely completes 56 percent of his passes and has not thrown for 300 yards this season. In the 30-0 win over Ole Miss, Allen finished 5-10 for 87 yards. He will not set the world on fire.
Instead, Allen’s best attribute is his ability to minimize turnovers. He has just five interceptions on the season. He is a game manager, relying on the run game to move the team downfield. Texas might try to stack the box and force Allen to throw the ball. This may be the Longhorn’s best chance at stopping the Razorback offense.
Alex Collins – Running Back
Arkansas utilizes a running back by committee approach, much like Texas does. Collins is the smaller of the running back duo at 5-11 and 215 pounds. He is an explosive player who followed up an outstanding freshman season with an equally-impressive sophomore campaign. After running for 1,026 yards and four scores in 2013, Collins nearly equaled his rookie performance on the ground with 1,024 yards. He led the team with 12 touchdowns as he helped Arkansas finish in the Top 25 in rushing this season.
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Jonathan Williams – Running Back
It’s no secret that Arkansas wants to run the ball to shorten the game and wear down opposing defenses. Williams helped the offense do just that. He is the second part of a two-headed rushing attack monster. He is more of bruiser at 6-0, 225 pounds. Defensive backs do not like having to bring down the hefty back. By time the fourth quarter rolls around, many of those DB’s begin to shy away from wrapping up.
After running for 900 yards as a sophomore, Williams eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark this year and had a career-high 11 touchdowns. He will be a test for the Texas front seven. Stopping Williams and Collins will give the Longhorns a fighting chance against its old SWC foe.