Storey just might end up being the answer at QB for Hogs

Some will differ, but the opinion here is there is not a guaranteed solution to fix Arkansas’ problem at maybe the most important position on the field — quarterback.

Unless it’s Ty Storey.

Some think freshman KJ Jefferson is the answer, but that’s not likely for next year as it appears from reports he won’t be on campus until next summer. That will likely put him as a redshirt freshman for 2020 and some tell me he will need a couple of years of development to find out if he’s an SEC-caliber quarterback or not.

The answer to that is nobody knows what they’ve got with a player who has put up some gaudy numbers in a smaller division of Mississippi high school athletics against competition that’s not exactly stocked with a lot of SEC recruits.

Others feel Kelly Bryant will be the answer if the former Clemson quarterback chooses to come to the Razorbacks. There are some who feel that is going to happen.

In Bryant’s biggest game in 2017, he was 18-of-26 for 124 yards with two interceptions against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

He had a little more success earlier in the year against Auburn, but his best game against an SEC team was against South Carolina later in the year.

For the season, he rushed for a lower average than what Storey has done this season for the Hogs.

Former Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner has been on radio shows this week talking about how his respect for what Storey has done. If anyone would have a pretty good take on that situation, it would be Stoerner.

Stoerner took a pounding through a pair of 4-7 seasons before things improved with a 17-7 mark his final two years.

He correctly pointed out that Storey has improved this year to the point he’s the best option Arkansas has now and you get the impression he feels it should be his job to lose going into next season as well.

The more you think about it, he’s probably correct.

The bottom line is Kelly Bryant’s not going to come here and launch the Hogs into the College Football Playoff. What he did at Clemson was done with numerous NFL-caliber players.

How many does Arkansas have?

Bryant might — and I’m pretty emphatic about the might — make a two-game difference. Remember, he’s available because he was beaten out by a quarterback who was playing in high school this time last year.

Storey will likely be the quarterback next year and that might not be completely horrible. Yes, he’s turned the ball over, but they’ve happened while trying to force a play in situations where he felt that was needed.

You give Storey the Clemson roster and the results would be similar as Bryant. Shoot, when both of them signed in 2015, Storey was the higher-rated quarterback, according to the 247Sports.com composite.

If you want to stretch it a little farther, Storey was rated higher than Connor Noland or anybody else that will be on the roster next season, barring Morris and his staff landing someone not on the radar right now.

What does that mean? Nothing, really, except the previous coaching staff didn’t do a particularly good job of developing talent.

Yes, it’s not a perfect situation.

But Ty has improved every game. Don’t put the Vanderbilt loss on him. Maybe making a bad decision in the Ole Miss game to not step out of bounds, but he’s admitted he should have tried for the first down a different way.

At least he was trying to make a play.

For a team that has struggled to find playmakers, that is something. Considering the lack of playmakers at the wide receiver spots (let’s face it, Cheyenne O’Grady is the only one who has shown an ability to be called a playmaker), the options for any quarterback have been limited.

It wouldn’t be that surprising to see the Hogs playing five freshmen in receiver spots next year that are better than nearly everybody on the roster now.

Which might make Ty a better quarterback.

If the offensive line can get a little better, but that’s another conversation completely.