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 19Georgia11:00 AM
ABC
Sat, Sep 26Tulsa7:00 PM
SECN+
Sat, Oct 3@ Texas A&MTBA
Sat, Oct 10TennesseeTBA
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 (13)2-01551
2.Conway1-11242
3.Benton (1)1-01203
4.Bentonville West (1)2-01065
5.Shiloh Christian (1)2-0996
6.Bryant0-2754
7.Joe T. Robinson2-0597
8.Searcy2-05110
9.North Little Rock2-0489
10.Sylvan Hills2-012
Others receiving votes: Greenwood 10, Fayetteville 7, Van Buren 3, Rogers 3, Greenbrier 2, Pulaski Academy 2, Jonesboro 2, Springdale Har-Ber 1, Elkins 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Bentonville (13)2-0771
2.Conway1-1532
4.Bentonville West (1)2-0404
5.Shiloh Christian (1)2-0345
3.Bryant (1)0-2253
Others receiving votes: North Little Rock 10, Pulaski Academy 1.
CLASS 6A
1.Benton (15)1-0791
2.Searcy (1)2-0622
3.Sylvan Hills2-0433
4.Van Buren2-0154
5.Mountain Home1-1115t
Jonesboro2-0115t
Others receiving votes: El Dorado 10, FS Southside 4, Sheridan 4, Marion 1.
CLASS 5A
1.Joe T. Robinson (15)2-0791
2.Greenwood (1)0-2522
3.Greenbrier1-0443
5.Farmington2-0305
4.Little Rock Parkview1-1144
Others receiving votes: HS Lakeside 10, Valley View 5, Jacksonville 4, Morrilton 2.
CLASS 4A
1.Stuttgart (13)2-0751
2.Elkins (2)2-0482
3.Nashville (1)2-0434
4.Bauxite2-0215t
5.Gosnell2-0145t
Others receiving votes: Gravette 11, Arkadelphia 8, Ozark 6, Warren 6, Fountain Lake 4, Lonoke 3, Pottsville 1.


CLASS 3A
1.Fordyce (11)0-1701
2.Mansfield (1)1-1412
3.Glen Rose1-1294
4.Bismarck1-1273
5.Prescott (3)2-0215t
Others receiving votes: Walnut Ridge (1) 19, Rivercrest 19, Smackover 7, Rison 3, Newport 2, Cedarville 1, Helena-West Helena 1.
CLASS 2A
1.Mount Ida (9)2-0722
2.Junction City (5)1-1601
3.Baptist Prep (1)2-0234t
4.Des Arc1-119
5.Earle (1)2-017
Others receiving votes: Bigelow 9, East Poinsett County (1) 8, Hector 7, Des Arc 6, Earle 6, Magnet Cove 4, Poyen 3, Marked Tree 2, Dierks 2, Cross County 1, Hazen 1.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Corning (5)2-0252t
2.Cedar Ridge (7)2-0241
3.Woodlawn (1)1-014
Others receiving votes: Magazine 7, Strong (1) 6, Izard County 5, Lafayette County 1, Johnson County Westside 1.