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Hyatt’s smooth play may be getting attention

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The only quarterback Chad Morris has mentioned as standing out much is redshirt freshman Daulton Hyatt.

Morris has challenged him because nobody is talking much about the Alabama native that has added muscle to a lean frame after spring practice.

“No one is talking about this guy,” Morris said Saturday at Media Day following the first two practices. “So, as I shared with him, I said, ‘No one is talking about you, man. What are you going to do? Are you just going to sit back and give it up here or what? Or are you gonna go compete?’”

At Monday’s practice there was a play that may show a little of what coaches are starting to see from him.

Hyatt fielded a snap from center that was high and to the right with one hand and immediately made the handoff to running back Rakeem Boyd in one motion.

It was almost as if that’s how it was designed.

Here’s the play in pictures:

PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

1. The snap from center

PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

2. Controlling the high snap

PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

3. The handoff to Boyd, who never broke stride

This is one small play, but Morris’ comments may have been a result of seeing plays like this on a consistent basis from Hyatt.

Others may make plays similar, but in the two practices we have been allowed to see a small portion of, none have handled a potentially bad center snap that smoothly.

Which may be why Hyatt has inserted himself into the quarterback picture.

PHOTOS: Quarterback competition Monday

Photos by Andy Hodges | HitThatLine.com

Patton on how tight ends fit in new offense

Arkansas tight end Jeremy Patton likes what he sees from all the quarterbacks and really enjoying playing in a wide variety of positions in Chad Morris’ new offense.

Tutt likes flying around in new defensive scheme

Razorbacks defensive back Britto Tutt talked after practice Monday about the new defensive look under coordinator John Chavis, changing sides of the field and more.

Returning kickoffs okay for Warren, but doesn’t like punt returns

Arkansas wide receiver likes returning kickoffs, but isn’t quite so enthusiastic when it comes to bringing back punts as he tells the media after Monday’s practice.

Barnes prefers playing slot; will try to get year back

Razorbacks wide receiver Jarrod Barnes talked with the media after practice Monday about preferring to play in the slot and trying to get year back after only playing six snaps last year against Florida A&M.

Hays not concerned after wearing green jersey Monday

Razorbacks center Dylan Hays didn’t do a lot Monday, wearing a green shirt, but says it’s no big deal, “just a few issues” and expects to be back at full speed soon.

Alabama running back is Hogs’ 18th commitment

Arkansas picked up another commitment as they continue rolling in after a hot and heavy July in getting players with A’Montae Spivey picking the Hogs via Twitter:

A’montae Spivey2️⃣4️⃣ on Twitter

AGTG C O M M I T T E D ???? RIP GRANDMA ???? @DannyWest1 @jhayeswtvm https://t.co/sDqyurrQ0x

Spivey, a three-star running back from Phenix City, Alabama, Central, picked the Razorbacks after a late push from LSU made it close.

He also held offers from Missouri, Purdue, Cincinnati and others.

Arkansas continues to sit at No. 21 in the 247Sports.com composite rankings with 18 total players committed.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Monday

Former Razorback QB Tyler Wilson joins John & Tommy in studio to discuss Arkansas media day, the QB battle, plus an interview with ADG’s Tom Murphy.

Morris says positives about all quarterbacks right now

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Chad Morris knows the importance of the quarterback position.

Especially when it comes to the fans.

At every press conference during Arkansas’ early fall practices he has addressed the position, covering every player at the position with the exception of walk-on Jack Lindsey (and apologies if he has mentioned him and I missed it).

You get the idea there is no fixed timeline on Morris making any kind of decision on the most high profile position on the team, but he’ll know it when he sees it.

“There’s really not one,” Morris said Saturday at Media Day. “I know everybody wants to know when we’re going to make it. I know we’re going to get through the scrimmages. We’re going to see them move as a team down the field and see who gets them in the end zone.”

He wants them to feel pressure. We don’t know if Morris gets in the head of quarterbacks the way Bobby Petrino or Lou Holtz used to, but it’s clear he does it get consistency.

“These guys have got to feel the pressure,” he said. “We want the same guy every day. We don’t want a guy that’s up here one day and down here the next. Up 10 or down 10, I want to see the same guy that’s going to keep everything under control and will his team to win.”

After the two practices there’s been media availability, Morris has talked about Ty Storey, Cole Kelley, Daulton Hyatt and freshmen John Stephen Jones and Connor Noland.

Hyatt “shot out of the box,” Morris said Saturday.

“No one is talking about this guy,” Morris said. “So, as I shared with him, I said, ‘No one is talking about you, man. What are you going to do? Are you just going to sit back and give it up here or what? Or are you gonna go compete?'”

Hyatt got everyone’s attention with his mobility in the spring. Since then, he’s added some bulk to a painfully skinny frame, up to 196 pounds (and on a 6-foot-4 frame that’s still thin).

At Media Day on Saturday, all of the players called the competition between Storey and Kelley as close. We heard that from nearly every one of the players.

Morris talked about tweaking the offense, which could be interpreted as being flexible for multiple quarterbacks. That’s something good coaches do. Coaches that don’t have that flexibility usually don’t have a job long.

He’s told us how that shows up in the first read of his offense, which is really an option offense.

“If he is a good runner, we’ll have him take that first read to keeping the ball if the first option is not there,” Morris said. “If he’s not a good runner, then instead of keeping it that option becomes passing the ball.”

It’s basic option football as much as the old Wishbone or Nebraska I-formation option offenses were in the 70’s and 80’s.

And it just keeps everybody wondering about the quarterback position.

Some can run it. Some aren’t quick-footed enough and need to pass it.

Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock just have to figure out who does what with the most consistency.

Because, we’re guessing, that’s who the ultimate starter will be.