Burks due for breakout season and Briles could be guy to break him out

We saw glimpses of Treylon Burks’ potential last season but now there’s a new trigger man plus a new guy in charge of the offense that could actually let Arkansas fans see something special.

That’s not just me. It was fascinating that the previous staff of offensive geniuses couldn’t figure out how to get the hands in the best playmaker on the field.

“He’s one of those guys that anytime he touches the football — whether it’s the jet sweep or if it’s some kind of Darren McFadden ‘Wild Hog’ type of situation or if it’s in a receiver type situation,” former Hogs and NFL quarterback Clint Stoerner said Monday morning with Tye Richardson and Tommy Craft (The Morning Rush) on ESPN Arkansas.

Last year Burks didn’t have a quarterback that could get the ball to him consistently or an offensive coordinator that couldn’t figure something out.

It really shouldn’t have been as hard as they made it appear. Kendal Briles has the pedigree and the track record of being able get the ball to Burks, Mike Woods and Trey Knox and let them make plays.

“I hope Kendal figures out a way to get (Burks) touches consistently,” Stoerner said. “Look, I’m a Texas guy. I know his dad (Art). I’ve watched him ever since he became a coach, watched him at Baylor, at U of H.

“If anybody can find a way to get certain receivers the ball if his last name is Briles you’ve got a pretty dang good chance.”

Burks is someone that’s going to be critical the Hogs bouncing back in any way, shape, form or fashion this year, Burks said.

“He’s gotta be the key cog (in moving the ball),” Stoerner said. “I’m blown away with his ability in the return game.”

The old saying used to be defensive and line of scrimmage but in today’s world of college football you better be able to put points on the board if you want to win games because the offenses are ahead of the defenses due to rules changes.

And that’s the side of the ball where the most talented players want to be now.

“In college football that guy’s the most valuable type of guy in the game and you’ve gotta find ways to get him the ball,” Stoerner said. “Not just in the passing game but throughout the four quarters in different ways in your offense.

“That’s difficult when you’ve got a Feleipe Franks, a Rakeem Boyd and those type of guys but, man, Treylon is special.”

Fans are hoping this is the year they find out just how special he can be.

RAZORBACK FOOTBALL

Sat, Sep 5vs North AlabamaW 31-14
Sat, Sep 12@ UtahL, 43-10
Sat, Sep 19GeorgiaL, 45-17
Sat, Sep 26TulsaW 34-6
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&ML, 34-7
Sat, Oct 10Tennessee3:15 PM
SEC Network
Sat, Oct 17@ VanderbiltTBA
Sat, Oct 31vs MissouriTBA
Sat, Nov 7@ AuburnTBA
Sat, Nov 14South CarolinaTBA
Sat, Nov 21@ TexasTBA
Sat, Nov 28vs LSUTBA

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Bentonville (15)4-01921
2.Conway3-11582
3.Shiloh Christian (2)4-01533
4.Bentonville West (2)4-01434
5.Joe T. Robinson4-01075
6.Searcy4-0966
7.North Little Rock4-0899
8.Bryant (1)1-3378
9.Sylvan Hills4-031—
10.Benton2-2189
Others receiving votes: Springdale Har-Ber 17, Sheridan 13, Greenwood 9, Fayetteville 9, El Dorado 5, Mountain Home 5, Stuttgart 5, Pulaski Academy 4, LR Mills 4, Farmington 3, LR Parkview 2.
CLASS 7A
1.Bentonville (15)4-0921
2.Conway3-1652
3.Shiloh Christian (2)4-0563
4.Bentonville West (2)4-0524
5.North Little Rock4-0205
Others receiving votes: Bryant (1) 14, Springdale Har-Ber 1.
CLASS 6A
1.Searcy (19)4-0991
2.Sylvan Hills3-1603
3.Benton (1)2-2462
4.Sheridan4-029—
4.El Dorado3-1264
Others receiving votes: Mountain Home 25, Van Buren 15.
CLASS 5A
1.Joe T. Robinson (20)4-01001
2.Greenwood2-2612
3.Little Rock Parkview3-146—
4.Farmington4-0444
5.Little Rock Mills4-015—
Others receiving votes: Valley View 10, Greenbrier 10, HS Lakeside 4, Jacksonville 4, Camden Fairview 4, Pine Bluff 2.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (16)4-0951
2.Nashville (2)4-0772
3.Gosnell (1)4-0433
4.Ozark4-029—
5.Elkins3-155
Others receiving votes: Fountain Lake 10, Gravette 8, Arkadelphia 6, Forrest City 5, Hamburg 3, Pottsville 2, Lonoke 1.

CLASS 3A
1.Fordyce (12)2-1851
2.Bismarck (1)3-1612
3.Smackover (4)4-0464
4.Mansfield (2)3-2383
5.Rivercrest223-1225
Others receiving votes: Glen Rose 20, Walnut Ridge (1) 12, Rison 8, Palestine-Wheatley 3, Newport 2, Quitman 2, Atkins 1.
CLASS 2A
1.Mount Ida (15)5-0931
2.Baptist Prep (4)4-0712
3.Junction City2-3303
4.Marked Tree3-122—
5.Gurdon3-219—
Others receiving votes: East Poinsett County 17, Earle (1) 13, Bigelow 11, Bearden 7, Hazen 6, Dierks 5, Des Arc 3, Hector 2, England 1.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Corning (8)4-0341
2.Cedar Ridge (6)4-0322
3.Magazine (1)2-012—
Others receiving votes: Izard County 8, Woodlawn 3, Rose Bud 1.