Recapping practices as the Hogs closing down camp and getting ready to start pregame preparations for Aug. 30 opener against Alabama A&M.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 8-19-25
Did we hear anything from the football program and Pittman this last week? Or is it truly, potato, potahto…?
Guests: Bruce Stanton x Tom Murphy!
Hogs’ defense has experience, versatility in two groups, hope in another
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is expected to lean on experienced linebackers and a versatile secondary as the Razorbacks get closer to starting new season.
Defensive coordinator Travis Williams is hoping it’s enough turn around a group that has been struggling at times the last few years.
“In the defensive backs room, we have a lot of guys with one year left of eligibility, so we have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football,” Williams said. “We have guys with mustaches, so we don’t have a lot of young guys. That experience means a lot when you get up under the lights and get to play big-time football.”
Redshirt seniors Stephen Dix Jr. and Xavian Sorey Jr. anchor the linebacker unit. Sorey, who led Arkansas with 99 tackles and two sacks last season, has been slowed by a hamstring injury in camp, opening the door for Bradley Shaw to see more snaps. Williams called Dix, Sorey and Shaw “starters” and said transfers Andrew Harris and Trent Whalen have added depth.
Whalen, a transfer from Southern Utah, has impressed the coaching staff with his readiness and special teams contributions. Wyatt Simmons and freshman Tavion Wallace, a top recruit, round out a group that Williams described as “deep and competitive.”
The secondary, which features mostly upperclassmen, gives Williams options in coverage packages. Several players, including Jordan Young, Miguel Mitchell, Caleb Wooden and Larry Worth, have taken snaps at multiple positions. Williams said the group could rotate frequently, depending on matchups and health.
“We definitely have more depth to do more there,” Williams said. “As long as we can keep everybody healthy, it will be a good thing.”
Arkansas is experimenting with different alignments, including 3-2-6 and 3-3-5 looks, to maximize its secondary’s flexibility. No permanent starters have been named, but Williams said the staff considers anyone who plays with the first group a starter.
The defensive line presents the greatest concern for Arkansas. The Razorbacks are likely to be without Abilene Christian transfer David Oke for the opener, and the interior is especially thin behind Cam Ball. Danny Saili and Ian Geffrard are expected to contribute, but injuries could force true freshmen into the rotation early.
Williams emphasized the need for young players to mature quickly. “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” he said. “We may need some young guys to step up.”
Last season, Arkansas allowed 247 passing yards per game, worst in the Southeastern Conference. Williams said improving communication and execution is critical for a turnaround. “The margin for error is small. It’s just talking and saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got this guy. You’ve got him.’”
The Razorbacks open the season Aug. 30 against Alabama A&M at Razorback Stadium. Williams said the opener will reveal whether the defense’s experience and flexibility can offset its lack of depth up front.
“We’re definitely going to lean on that experience,” Williams said. “That matters when you get up under the lights and play big-time football.”
Arkansas faces a challenging schedule and must rely on its veteran leadership at linebacker and in the secondary. The performance and depth of the defensive line could determine how far the Razorbacks’ defense can carry them in 2025.
The opener against Alabama A&M will kick off at 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network. Fans will also be able to listen ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 8-18-25
Hot Take Monday, Style and Swagger, Arkansas Football inching closer by the day!
Razorbacks defensive coordinator Travis Williams on fall camp progress
How he feels good at this point about what Arkansas will have when they face Alabama A&M in opener Aug. 30.
E’Marion Harris anchors another Razorbacks offensive line rebuild entering season
E’Marion Harris has gone from a promising underclassman to a cornerstone on the Arkansas offensive line, providing a steady presence as the Razorbacks seek improvement in the 2025 season.
Harris, a redshirt junior from Little Rock, has settled in at right tackle during fall camp after spending most of last season at guard. The 6-foot-7, 313-pound lineman started all 13 games in 2023 and has emerged as a leader up front as Arkansas works to rebuild an offensive line that struggled with consistency last year.
“This offseason, I was just focusing on getting my weight back, getting stronger, and just learning the offense better,” Harris said after a recent scrimmage. “Now that I got my weight back, I feel a lot more confident, like, my confidence is better, playing better and stuff like that.”
Harris was listed as a backup left tackle heading into fall camp in 2023 but shifted inside to guard. Despite his size and natural fit at tackle, he anchored the line at guard throughout the season, showing the versatility that coaches now consider a key asset.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said Harris’s physical transformation has been evident.
“He’s much stronger and more physical than he was a year ago,” Petrino told reporters. “A year ago, he really wasn’t tackle size. He went from 285 to 310, I think, when he weighed in. And you’re seeing that, you’re seeing that strength on the field.”
Petrino, who returned as offensive coordinator this season, has emphasized building a more reliable offensive line to protect the quarterback and spark the run game. The Razorbacks averaged just 124 rushing yards per game last fall, a significant drop from previous years. Arkansas allowed more sacks than any other SEC team, underscoring the need for improvement up front.
Offensive line coach Eric Mateos said Harris’s experience at multiple positions helps the team prepare for in-season adjustments.
“All summer it was right tackle, right guard, left tackle,” Mateos said. “Wanted to create that versatility, the habits, get the stance right. You want to try and get that done in the summer so if you do have to make a change in season, it doesn’t feel like you’re eating left-handed. We’re in a good place with his versatility. He’ll be ready if we need to, but right now we’re kind of leaving him there at that right tackle spot.”
Harris’s father, Elliott Harris, played defensive line for the Razorbacks from 2001 to 2004. Despite the family connection, Harris said there was no pressure to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“My pops always told me just because he came here, [doesn’t] mean that I had to come here because it’s my path, my life,” Harris said. “I chose to come here because it felt like home. Pittman just gave me everything I wanted in the college, so I just liked it, and the journey’s been amazing.”
Hogs coach Sam Pittman, a longtime offensive line coach, has stressed physicality and flexibility in spring practice and continued it in fall camp. Alongside Harris, other linemen such as Kobe Branham and Fernando Carmona have rotated through key spots as Arkansas looks for the right combination.
The Razorbacks’ projected starting offensive line includes Robinson, Carmona, Kitler, Harris and McRoy, according to a preseason breakdown by the Southwest Times Record.
Harris’s reliability and work ethic have made an impression on his teammates.
“He has really bought in, great effort, great execution and he’s someone that you trust playing next to,” fellow lineman Branham said.
Arkansas faces a challenging schedule in the SEC, where the offensive line will be tested against some of the nation’s top defensive fronts. Harris’ ability to anchor the right side will be pivotal in determining whether the Razorbacks’ offense can regain its footing.
Through it all, Harris remains focused on his role and growth.
“It’s definitely been a crazy journey,” he said. “But now that I got my weight back, I feel a lot more confident, like, my confidence is better, playing better and stuff like that.”
The Razorbacks open the 2024 season with hopes that a stronger, more cohesive offensive line — anchored by Harris — will provide the stability needed to compete in the SEC.
Susi’s late penalty kick lifts Razorbacks to 2-2 tie with Notre Dame
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Zoe Susi converted a penalty kick in the 81st minute to help No. 6 Arkansas earn a 2-2 draw with No. 2 Notre Dame in a nonconference women’s soccer match Sunday night at Razorback Field.
A crowd of 2,947, the seventh largest in Razorback Field history, watched as the Razorbacks (0-1-1) rallied in the final minutes after trailing late to the Fighting Irish (1-0-1).
Arkansas took an early lead in the sixth minute when junior midfielder Kennedy Ball intercepted a back pass and scored past Notre Dame goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica. Ball’s pressure forced the Irish into a mistake deep in their own half, giving Arkansas an early advantage.
Notre Dame equalized before halftime on a goal from sophomore forward Annabelle Chukwu, who finished a breakaway with a low shot past Arkansas goalkeeper Grace Johnson.
The Irish took a 2-1 lead midway through the second half on a goal from midfielder Izzy Engle, who scored from outside the box.
With less than 10 minutes to play, Ball drove past two Notre Dame defenders on the right side and sent a cross into the box. The ball struck a Notre Dame defender’s hand, resulting in a penalty kick after a replay review. Susi sent her shot into the upper left corner, beating Kasica, who dove the opposite direction.
“I just tried to stay calm and focus on the ball,” Susi said. “We practice these situations all the time. It’s about blocking out the noise and trusting your technique” (SECSports.com).
Both teams pushed for a winner in the final minutes, but neither side was able to break the deadlock. Notre Dame finished with a slight edge in shots, 12-11, and had seven shots on goal to Arkansas’ six. Each goalkeeper recorded four saves, and Notre Dame led in corner kicks, 6-5.
Arkansas coach Colby Hale praised his team’s composure in the late stages. “Ice,” Hale said of Susi’s penalty. “She’s been so good in the last two games. Really, really proud of her” (SI.com).
Notre Dame head coach Nate Norman credited Arkansas’ pressure and the crowd atmosphere. “This is the kind of game that tests you,” Norman said. “Arkansas pressed us all night, but our players responded. It’s never easy on the road in this environment, but I’m proud of our fight and the way we kept pushing to the end” (FightingIrish.com).
The result marked the second consecutive 2-2 draw between Arkansas and Notre Dame. Both teams entered the match ranked in the top 10, and the contest featured several lead changes and momentum swings.
Chukwu and Ball each scored their second goals of the young season. Ball’s two-way play and Susi’s poise in the midfield were key for Arkansas, while Chukwu and Engle led Notre Dame’s attack.
Arkansas will travel to Georgia Southern for its next match on Sunday, Aug. 24. Notre Dame continues its nonconference slate before starting Atlantic Coast Conference play later this month.
The match highlighted the growing profile of women’s soccer in the region, with fans filling Razorback Field and both teams showcasing national championship aspirations. The teams combined for 23 fouls and pressed for a winner until the final whistle, but settled for a result that keeps both unbeaten through two matches.
Arkansas and Notre Dame are expected to remain in the national title conversation as the season progresses. It also showed the Razorbacks can play well enough to stay there.
Ex-MLB outfielder Monte Harrison emerges as Arkansas football standout
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Monte Harrison spent a decade chasing major league fastballs. Now, at age 30, he is turning heads as a wide receiver at Arkansas, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players at Razorbacks fall camp.
Harrison, a former outfielder for the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels, joined Arkansas as a walk-on ahead of last season after stepping away from baseball. His age and story have drawn attention, but his performance in recent practices has made him impossible to overlook.
In two recent scrimmages, Harrison scored a 63-yard touchdown against the first-team defense and added 45- and 70-yard scores against the second team. In Saturday’s scrimmage, he caught passes for 20, 28 and 53 yards, the last resulting in a touchdown.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman praised Harrison’s work ethic and perseverance through the transition from professional baseball to college football.
“So happy for him,” Pittman said. “You’re 29 years old, and you go back as a freshman in college and you’re not getting a lot of game-time and all that. You’re coming from a professional situation in baseball, it’s hard. I would assume it would be very hard. And he just kept fighting, kept fighting and kept working.”
Harrison arrived in Fayetteville in 2023 after a 10-year professional baseball career. He spent much of the last year reacclimating to football, working to get into playing shape and adapt to the college game. Now, at 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds, he has become a key target in the Razorbacks’ passing attack.
“He’s one of those guys you want to go to, like [Andrew Armstrong] was a year ago,” Pittman said. “He really is a guy who has really come on. I’m real proud of him. He turned 30 last week. I think it’s very, very hard. Obviously his physique, his ability and how much shape he’s in is why he’s able to do it.”
Arkansas entered fall camp looking for new options at receiver after losing Armstrong, Isaac TeSlaa and Isaiah Sategna during the offseason. Harrison impressed coaches during spring practice and continued to build momentum through summer workouts and the first two weeks of camp.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said Harrison’s physical profile and athletic testing numbers stood out.
“When you look at his height, weight, speed, vertical jump, all these things are off the charts for a receiver,” Petrino said. “And you’re over there thinking, ‘We’ve got to get this guy the ball.’ So, we made a conscious effort at doing it and he’s responded great to it.
“He had the most yards receiving in the scrimmage the other day and made two really good catches and runs after the catch. So that was really good to see with him.”
Harrison’s teammates have also taken notice. Redshirt senior left guard Fernando Carmona said Harrison’s presence and performance have been a surprise.
“It doesn’t feel real sometimes,” Carmona said. “You see him out there, he’s an old head. Just the way he carries himself, he’s kind of an older guy, but he goes out there and he balls. So yeah, you kind of do got to pinch yourself, like, ‘Wow, this dude’s 30 moving around like this, feeling amazing, making great plays against prime 21-22 year olds.’ And so it’s all credit to what he does for himself off the field and how he trains.”
Harrison’s path to Arkansas football was unconventional. A standout high school athlete in Missouri, he originally committed to play college football at Nebraska but chose professional baseball after being selected in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in 50 MLB games, debuting with the Marlins in 2020 and finishing his baseball career with the Angels in 2022.
After stepping away from baseball in 2023, Harrison joined Arkansas as a walk-on. He spent most of last season learning and adjusting, but his performance this fall has positioned him as a candidate for a significant role in the Razorbacks’ offense.
Harrison’s story recalls those of other athletes who returned to college football after professional sports careers, such as Chris Weinke and Brandon Weeden. His presence comes at a pivotal time for Arkansas, which is rebuilding its offense and seeking new leaders at wide receiver.
Arkansas will return to practice Monday as classes begin on campus. The team’s remaining fall camp sessions will be closed to media and the public. Arkansas will play a mock game next Saturday ahead of its Aug. 30 season opener against Alabama A&M.
Whether Harrison starts or comes off the bench, his experience and production have added a new dimension to Arkansas’ receiving corps. For now, the 30-year-old walk-on has become a symbol of perseverance and possibility for a Razorbacks team in transition.
Green’s growth under Petrino raises hopes for Razorbacks’ season
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark, — It’s been hammered all camp that Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green’s growth under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is fueling optimism.
Green, entering his second year as Arkansas’ starter, showed at least his teammates and coach some improved decision-making in a recent 115-play scrimmage at Razorback Stadium closed to the media and public.
With the offense pinned at its own nine-yard line, Green saw the defense preparing an inside blitz.
He checked out of the original pass play and audibled to an inside zone run. Running back Mike Washington Jr. took the handoff through the A-gap and raced 91 yards for a touchdown.
Senior guard Fernando Carmona described the play after the scrimmage.
“We got up to the line, and it was a pass play, but Taylen saw an interior blitz, checked it to a run, and from there Mike just hit that hole,” Carmona said.
Petrino, in his second stint with Arkansas, has noted Green’s improvement in reading defenses and making pre-snap adjustments.
“The biggest improvement in Green’s game is his ability to see the defense better and make pre-snap adjustments and checks at the line of scrimmage,” Petrino said during fall camp.
Green finished the 2024 season with 3,154 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, along with 602 rushing yards and eight rushing scores.
His performance ranked him among the SEC’s most productive quarterbacks and helped the Razorbacks’ offense climb into the top 15 nationally in total offense per game and passing yards per completion, according to university statistics and national rankings.
Teammates say Green’s development has increased trust throughout the offense.
“It starts with Taylen Green and his decision-making, and then it kind of goes down to the offensive line giving time for Taylen,” Carmona said. “From there, I have ultimate trust in the wide receivers and our tight ends. It obviously starts up front, then Taylen taking care of the right reads.”
Green’s progress was also evident in the scrimmage, where he threw a 32-yard touchdown to CJ Brown and a 53-yard score to Monte Harrison. He added an eight-yard touchdown run and completed three passes of at least 20 yards to different receivers to close out the day.
Hogs coach Sam Pittman praised the offense for limiting turnovers and penalties.
“I think we had one interception with the threes,” Pittman said. “We took care of it.”
Green’s improvement is attributed to both increased experience and Petrino’s coaching style. Petrino, known for his demanding approach, has a track record of developing quarterbacks who make significant strides in their second year under his system.
Green has also become one of college football’s most valuable athletes, with a name, image and likeness valuation of $2.1 million, according to a report by Fox Sports. Despite the attention, those close to Green describe him as focused and hard-working.
Arkansas faces a challenging SEC schedule this fall. Petrino said the offense is ahead of schedule compared to last year, but emphasized the need for consistency. “It’s about consistency. That’s the challenge,” Petrino said.
Green, who transferred from Boise State before the 2023 season, said his goal is to make the team better.
“I want to be remembered as someone who made the team better,” Green told local reporters.
As the Razorbacks prepare for the upcoming season, Green’s steady improvement and the offense’s cohesion are providing hope for a return to SEC prominence.
Harrison, Brown boost Arkansas offense with big plays in fall camp
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former major league outfielder Monte Harrison and sophomore wide receiver CJ Brown emerged as top playmakers for Arkansas during the team’s second fall camp scrimmage Saturday.
It gives the Razorbacks a boost at a position that struggled last season.
Harrison, 30, who spent parts of three seasons with the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels, caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Taylen Green and added receptions of 20 and 28 yards, according to a team spokesperson.
Harrison’s performance came after he posted three catches of 45 yards or more in the first scrimmage last week.
“You’re 29 years old and you go back as a freshman in [college] and you’re not getting a lot of game time and all that,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “You’re coming from a professional situation in baseball. It’s hard. I would assume it would be very hard.
“He just kept fighting, kept fighting and kept working, and now he’s one of those guys you want to look at. A guy you want to go to, like Andrew Armstrong was a year ago.”
Brown, who stepped up after injuries to transfer receivers Ismael Cisse and Raylen Sharpe, caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Green. Brown has moved between the slot and outside receiver positions during camp.
“He understands the offense better than anybody out there,” offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said. “When you run the GPS and everyone sprints as hard as they can, CJ is faster than any of them. He also has such great feet that he’s good inside.”
Green, a transfer who passed for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for more than 600 last season while limited by a knee injury, spread the ball around in the scrimmage. Tight end Jaden Platt caught a 21-yard pass, and Jalen Brown made two receptions of 20 yards.
The Razorbacks’ first-team offense faced the second-team defense in the scrimmage, which was closed to the media. The first-team defense allowed just one touchdown to the second-team offense, a 1-yard run by Cam Settles.
Quarterback KJ Jackson recorded a 20-yard pass to Krosse Johnson and a 15-yard pass to tight end Rohan Jones against the first defense.
Running back Mike Washington broke off a 91-yard touchdown run after Green checked out of a pass play and into a run at the line of scrimmage.
“We got up to the line of scrimmage, and it was a pass play, and then Taylen saw some type of blitz, interior blitz, checked it to a run, center Caden Kitler made the right call on to how to pick it up, and from there Mike just hit that hole,” offensive lineman Fernando Carmona said.
Pittman said the coaching staff has identified five to seven receivers they trust with the first team.
“Jalen Brown made some plays this week. Rohan Jones is another guy that yesterday I felt like had his best practice, production-wise, and catching difficult catches and all that,” Pittman said. “We’re getting more people, which is really going to help us keep fresh guys on the field that have confidence, and as important, we have confidence in them.”
Pittman acknowledged, however, that explosive plays remain a concern for the defense.
“Today there was obviously a lot of explosives,” Pittman said. “We weren’t good on good like we were last week. But if you ask us, the main thing we needed to get fixed from the scrimmage last week was explosive plays.
“We gave up too many, which you’re happy on the other side, because guys are breaking tackles and all that. In the two scrimmages that we’ve had, we’ve had a ton of explosive plays offensively. So that means they’re either running by people or making them miss.”
Harrison’s path to Arkansas is unique. A four-star football recruit out of Lee’s Summit West High School in Missouri, he chose professional baseball after being selected 50th overall by the Brewers in the 2014 MLB draft. He played 50 games in the majors and was involved in the trade that sent Christian Yelich to Milwaukee before leaving baseball in 2023 to pursue college football.
Petrino said Harrison’s athleticism and willingness to learn have made him a quick study. “His learning curve is steep, but he’s catching on fast,” Petrino said.
With the season opener approaching, Arkansas coaches and players say the competition at receiver and the depth in the passing game are better than last season. “You want to see it when the lights come on,” Pittman said. “But these guys, they’re making it hard to keep them off the field.”
The Razorbacks finished 4-8 last year and ranked near the bottom of the SEC in passing offense. With new faces emerging and Green healthy, Arkansas hopes to reverse course in 2025.
“We’re going to be able to spread it around,” Petrino said. “And that’s going to keep defenses guessing.”
Arkansas opens the season Aug. 30 against Missouri State at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
