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Jimmy Smith coaches running backs for the University of Arkansas, but as a former quarterback at Tennessee State he also has an acute awareness of what an offensive tackle means to that position. Specifically, Smith knows what left tackle Myron Cunningham means as the blindside protector for new starting quarterback KJ Jefferson. "Dependable," Smith said when asked for his thoughts on Cunningham's importance. "That's what you want. Dependable. "He's going to give you what you need every game, and you can rely on him. I played quarterback, so a guy like Myron is a big deal. "At left tackle, you need somebody you can rely on. He's a dependable guy. That's what he is."

Cunningham was so dependable last season that he played all 705 offensive snaps as well as 42 on special teams. He's also a big deal physically at 6-6 and 325 pounds. "Myron is a great, awesome player to me," said Jefferson, a redshirt sophomore with two career starts. "Protecting my blindside, I have no worries because he perfects the little details and even gets extra work. "He comes in and talks to me about different stuff and what he saw protection-wise and why he called this protection and what he wants to slide to." Cunningham, a fifth-year senior from Warren, Ohio, could be in an NFL training camp right now. Instead, he's back for his third season as a starter after also playing two seasons at Iowa Central Community College. "He turned down several hundreds of thousands of dollars, in my opinion," Razorbacks Coach Sam Pittman said at SEC Media Days last month. "We have a process, and it looked like he was going to go high in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft last year. "He elected to come back. That tells you something about our coaching staff. Not myself, about our assistant coaching staff." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#26 OT) rSr/2022

OT Myron Cunningham, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/19/21 - Hayden Henry, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 6-1, 225 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

University of Arkansas linebackers coach Michael Scherer provided a colorful analogy to describe the reckless abandon with which senior Hayden Henry plays the game. "If you watch him at practice, he's not far off from Bobby Boucher," Scherer said, referencing Adam Sandler's bizarre character in "The Waterboy." "He's just a little smarter." Henry said he could thank his father Mark, a former Razorback offensive lineman, for instilling his hard-charging approach. "When I was little we lived in Atlanta, and as crazy as this sounds my dad would say, 'Hey, if you make a kid cry today in practice or if you knock a kid out of practice or a game, I'll take you to Dairy Queen.' So I was like, 'All right, let's go." Henry said.

Henry's hard collisions have affected opponents and himself, such as his hit in a 55-34 win over Colorado State in 2019 that injured his shoulder. He had left shoulder surgery after the 2018 and 2019 seasons. "I just made it an emphasis in this past offseason that if I want to play again, I'm going to have to strengthen my shoulder and get healthy," Henry said. "It was kind of the only thing weighing me down as a player. So I made it my mission to get as strong as I possibly could be." Henry made two starts at linebacker last season while racking up 25 tackles, 3 for loss, with 1 sack and 1 pass breakup in 10 games. He ranked 11th on the team in tackles for a squad that brings back 12 of its top 14 tacklers. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#999 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Hayden Henry, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/18/21 - Grant Morgan, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 5-11, 224 (DS#31 ILB) + More +

Arkansas senior linebacker Grant Morgan could have easily disappeared into the sunset at the end of the 2020 season. Instead he chose to saddle up again for the Razorbacks, one of nine players who took advantage of the extra year the NCAA afforded to players who were affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Morgan's return was due in large part to Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who Morgan said brought toughness back to the program. "Pittman, he brought back football like Arkansas is supposed to be, the hard-working, the tough, the physical," Morgan said. "You go look at any good Arkansas team, like Darren McFadden was fast, but he would run people over...Felix Jones, the same thing. "You go look at Arkansas at its prime, you go look at smash-mouth football and that's what we want to be. We want to be a team that hits hard. You want to be a team that is not afraid of anybody, bring them to our house or we go there. "It is a simple game. We just have to make it simple and run and hit again."

Morgan praised the professionalism Pittman brought in his first season leading the Razorbacks in 2020. "It just shows you well of an organization this is run by Pittman," Morgan said. "It means a ton to us. All the older guys that came back and decided that we can do it now. To have other guys buy in, like [offensive lineman] Myron Cunningham and other guys, it is a really big step in the right direction." Arkansas linebackers coach Michael Scherer said Morgan is the leader of the team, not just of the linebackers. "Grant makes my job very easy, especially this summer," Scherer said. "I know if I said 'Hey, Grant, get the guys together and do this and this and this,' it is going to get done and done right. That is the same for all the seniors I have in my room. They are just great kids and good leaders, and everyone in the room looks up to him." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#31 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Grant Morgan, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/17/21 - Cade Fortin, rSr/2024, Arkansas, 6-2, 224 (DS#57 QB) + More +

USF coach Jeff Scott said his Bulls are "probably closer" to figuring out which of their four viable quarterback options will become this year's starter. Or maybe not. "Just let it play out," Scott said Tuesday after USF's first full padded practice of preseason camp. "I want my wife to be able to come to the game and be able to say, 'That's your best quarterback right there." It needs to be that obvious." A week into preseason camp, a winner is not yet that obvious. But there does seem to be a frontrunner: junior Cade Fortin.

The North Carolina transfer showed promise in his two games last season when he wasn't shut down due to injury or coronavirus protocols. He left spring with a lead in the competition and still seems to be ahead; Scott said the other three passers are "behind" Fortin. "Cade just picked up right where he left off," Scott said. "He's had an outstanding fall camp." Fortin attributes some of that to his familiarity. This is the first time since his junior year of high school that he had the same system and coaching staff for two straight years. "It's definitely helped me develop a lot of confidence," Fortin said. - Tampa Tribune

(DS#57 QB) rSr/2024

QB Cade Fortin, Arkansas
News Source: Tampa Tribune
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08/16/21 - Ricky Stromberg, Sr/2023, Arkansas, 6-3, 306 (DS#4 C) + More +

University of Arkansas starting center Ricky Stromberg suffered a knee injury to his medial collateral ligament Sunday, according to a source with knowledge of the incident. Stromberg, a junior from Tulsa with 19 career starts, did not suffer a torn ligament, the source said, describing the injury as more of a sprain. A second source said Stromberg is expected to be back in time for the season opener against Rice on Sept. 4. Ty Clary, the starting center for parts of two years, worked with the first unit in Stromberg's spot Monday, and Beaux Limmer worked at right guard for Clary. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#4 C) Sr/2023

C Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/14/21 - Montaric Brown, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 6-1, 194 (DS#25 CB) + More +

As one of the most experienced members of the Arkansas secondary with 21 starts in 29 games, redshirt senior Montaric Brown knows a lot is expected of him. Brown (6-0, 195) feels he will be up to the challenge and wants to establish himself as the best cornerback in the SEC. "I want to just continue working on my craft, working on my technique every day and having my confidence level (high). Just keep building to where I feel like I can guard anybody and feel like I am the best corner in the SEC," he said Sunday.

Brown added that part of that means putting the last play behind him quickly. He played 576 defensive snaps last season, and 80 on special teams, so it is a must. "Just having amnesia and getting rid of that play," Brown said. "You just have to come back the next play and do your part. The time will come. You can't keep thinking on that mistake and have to get past it." Arkansas secondary coach Sam Carter is high on the abilities of Brown, who had 30 tackles, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery last season. "You can just tell he was in the weight room and Coach (Jamil) Walker got him bigger and faster," Carter said. "He just has to trust what we are doing and trust his technique. Busta is a football player. "I think we missed him last year. I think after Mississippi State we missed him for or five games because of a concussion. But he is our guy. He is our No. 1 corner." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#25 CB) rSr/2022

CB Montaric Brown, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/13/21 - Bumper Pool, rSr/2023, Arkansas, 6-2, 235 (DS#18 ILB) + More +

Senior linebacker Bumper Pool said he's feeling stronger after playing through a rib injury he suffered early last year in the Hogs' 21-14 upset at No. 16 Mississippi State in the second game. "Last season I broke my ribs Week Two and I felt like my strength just never finally came back," Pool said. "And so this next season I was like, 'I'm not going to let that be an issue. I want to have that size and strength." Pool got with strength and conditioning coach Jamil Walker and put together a plan. "Coach Walker and I sat down and talked about wanting to work on that, and that comes with working on speed and getting underneath that squat bar." Pool said he's at 232 pounds, which he feels is a good weight. "I'm hoping to stay there through camp," he said. "Add a few pounds, a couple here or there, but hopefully stay at that weight." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#18 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Bumper Pool, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/13/21 - DeVion Warren, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 5-11, 182 (DS#99 WR) + More +

University of Arkansas slot receiver De'Vion Warren, who missed the final three games after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at Florida on Nov. 14, said the first two days of practice went well. Not that recovering from such a major injury in nine months has been a breeze. "Coming back from an ACL injury, it's not easy," Warren said Saturday. "It takes a lot of reps, a lot of recovery, a lot of treatment. Just feeling out the process of being able to get back to your 100% self." Warren, who said he has put his trust in the training and strength and conditioning staff, said the toughest part of the rehabilitation process has been the daily grind. "Just taking the steps to feel better, and get better and be able to run, walk sometimes - even jump," he said. "It's just that mental aspect of every day you're not who you used to be. You've got to get back to your normal day abilities." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#99 WR) rSr/2022

WR DeVion Warren, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/10/21 - Grant Morgan, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 5-11, 224 (DS#31 ILB) + More +

University of Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan was more comfortable at SEC Media Days in late July than some of the coaches. The sixth-year senior from Greenwood has a way of simply being himself and fitting in, an attitude that helps him win over teammates and be completely at ease in front of dozens of media members. "Something like this, it fits me, if y'all can't tell," Morgan told local reporters in a suite at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala. "It's really fun because I don't have to do any of the typing. I'm just talking." Morgan's play did a lot of talking in the media coverage of the Razorbacks' 3-7 covid-19 season last year. Earning his first full-time starting job at inside linebacker, Morgan racked up 111 tackles in nine games to post an FBS-best 12.3 tackles per game. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 pass breakups and 1 interception, which he returned for a touchdown to clinch the Hogs' 33-21 homecoming win over Ole Miss.

Morgan pulled down second-team All-America recognition by the American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp. He was one of three finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is named for former UA All-American Brandon Burlsworth and given to the best player in the nation who began his career as a walk on. Morgan is so proud of his former walk-on status, it's a symbol. "My pinned Tweet on my Twitter [account] is to remember me as a walk-on, not an All-American," Morgan said at media days. "I live my life like that. I live my life every day as a walk-on. "I'm not a flashy guy. I'm not anybody who's going to be big time and try to make TikToks and all that stuff. I go to work. I do my job. I focus on football." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#31 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Grant Morgan, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/10/21 - Bumper Pool, rSr/2023, Arkansas, 6-2, 235 (DS#18 ILB) + More +

Day 1 of preseason practice went swimmingly for Arkansas linebacker Bumper Pool. The senior contributed to what he said was a productive day for the Razorbacks' defense. In all, the group came away with six interceptions, he said, two of which belonged to him. "I was excited about it," Pool said. "Just something I wanted to work on was my pass coverage. I think that comes with working on your technique and knowing the coverages better." Pool credited linebackers coach Michael Scherer and defensive coordinator Barry Odom for his improvement in that area. Pool was also adamant about working on his body following last season. You wouldn't know it given he finished with 101 tackles, but he played with broken ribs for a majority of Arkansas' 10-game schedule.

Pool did not feel 100% after Week 2 - when he broke up 2 passes and recorded 20 tackles at Mississippi State, helping the Razorbacks snap their 20-game SEC losing streak - and his strength never fully returned. Still, he finished with 14 tackles in back-to-back games against Texas A&M and Tennessee. He had 11 or more tackles in two of the final three games of the season. By season's end he was one of three Arkansas defenders named to All-SEC teams by the league's coaches. This summer, he set out to be even better and more reliable at the second level alongside Grant Morgan. His goal was to ensure that strength won't be an issue in 2021. "I want to have that size and strength," he said. "[Strength coach Jamil Walker] and I kind of sat down and talked about that. I wanted to work on that, and that comes with working on speed and the squat bar." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#18 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Bumper Pool, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/09/21 - DeVion Warren, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 5-11, 182 (DS#99 WR) + More +

Senior receiver De'Vion Warren, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at Florida on Nov. 14, has been cleared to practice today. Warren tore an anterior cruciate ligament returning a kickoff. "De'Vion Warren is a guy who's healthy," Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman said. "He's looked good. I think we're going to watch his rep take just on that injury that he had." Warren had career-highs of 15 catches for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns in 7 games before his injury. He also had 4 carries for 35 yards and 6 kickoff returns for 120 yards. "He came in and worked hard just coming off that injury that he had last season," receiver Treylon Burks said. "You can tell that he wants it more being his last year. "He's gotten bigger. He looks stronger and he looks faster." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#99 WR) rSr/2022

WR DeVion Warren, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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07/26/21 - Trajan Jeffcoat, rSr/2024, Arkansas, 6-4, 266 (DS#19 DE) + More +

After finishing in third place in the SEC East Division last season, Missouri was picked fourth in the division in the media's preseason poll by reporters who attended SEC media days this week in Hoover, Alabama. Georgia was the runaway favorite in the East with 124 of the 134 first-place votes, followed by Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. Defending national champion Alabama was the heavy favorite to win the West Division earning 130 first-place votes, followed by Texas A&M, Louisiana State, Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas and Mississippi State. Only two Missouri players landed on the preseason All-SEC teams: defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat was a second-team choice while center Mike Maietti made the third team. - Post-Dispatch

(DS#19 DE) rSr/2024

DE Trajan Jeffcoat, Arkansas
News Source: Post-Dispatch
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07/26/21 - *Treylon Burks, Jr/2022, Arkansas, 6-2, 224 (DS#4 WR) + More +

Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman said Thursday that senior receiver De'Vion Warren was doing well this summer, and he touted Warren's value to the team at the expense of graduate transfer receiver Mike Woods, who left for Oklahoma. "I'm excited about De'Vion," Pittman said. "Certainly before he was injured I thought he was the second-best receiver we had, so we're excited to get him back." Treylon Burks was clearly the Hogs go-to receiver last year with 51 receptions for 820 yards and 7 touchdowns in 8 full games. Woods was second with 32 catches for 619 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Warren had 15 receptions for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns in 6 full games.

Pittman thought the Razorbacks would be healthy heading into camp, saying "we'll be pretty much full flow, full go." He also added that players who enter the transfer portal at Arkansas should consider themselves gone. "Once you go to the transfer portal at the University of Arkansas, you sure ain't transferring back in," he said. "I'm pretty sure, if I asked [wife] Jamie, if I go to transfer for a week and figure it out would she let me come back, I'm sure the answer would be no. That's the way we feel about that, too." - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#4 WR) Jr/2022

WR *Treylon Burks, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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07/14/21 - Grant Morgan, rSr/2022, Arkansas, 5-11, 224 (DS#31 ILB) + More +

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman will be accompanied by a pair of seniors at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., next week. The Razorbacks' player representatives for this year's event are offensive lineman Myron Cunningham and linebacker Grant Morgan, it was announced Wednesday. Both players are taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility provided by the NCAA due to covid-19. Pittman, Cunningham and Morgan are scheduled to begin making the rounds July 22 at 10:30 a.m. Entering his third season at Arkansas after transferring from Iowa Central Community College, Cunningham has started 20 of 21 games played with the Razorbacks, including all 10 in 2020. He played a team-high 705 snaps last season and allowed two sacks. Morgan, a native of Greenwood, is coming off one of the best seasons by a defensive player in program history, finishing with 111 tackles in nine games. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#31 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Grant Morgan, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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06/24/21 - *Treylon Burks, Jr/2022, Arkansas, 6-2, 224 (DS#4 WR) + More +

Three University of Arkansas football players were named preseason Phil Steele All-Americans on Wednesday, including junior receiver Treylon Burks as a first-team choice. Senior linebacker Grant Morgan and sophomore safety Jalen Catalon were second-team choices by Steele, who released his preseason All-America and All-SEC teams this week. Burks, of Warren, led the Razorbacks with 51 catches for 820 yards and 7 touchdowns in a breakout season last year. He ranked third in the SEC with 91.1 receiving yards per game and fifth in receiving yards. He pulled down second-team All-SEC honors. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#4 WR) Jr/2022

WR *Treylon Burks, Arkansas
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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