De’Vion Warren’s announcement Monday morning that he’s coming back to Arkansas was expected and it was the fourth day in a row for a player to say he’s back.
Blessed to play one more year with my teammates and coaches! Best is yet to come 1️⃣0️⃣ @RazorbackFB @coachjstepp pic.twitter.com/jKSBoFEbfc
— devion (@devionwarren) December 28, 2020
The recruiting pitch to the returning players is obviously things will be better with more of them taking advantage of the NCAA’s eligibility relief granted in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Warren had started to become more involved in the offense of Kendal Briles that needs speed, speed, speed and Warren, a native of Ouachita Parish in Monroe, La., has that in bunches.
We had seen it mostly on special teams for three years, though.
After hauling in one pass for 28 yards in the opener against Georgia, Warren stepped up when Treylon Burks went down with an injury.
He caught four passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in the win at Mississippi State and then had five receptions for 95 yards and a pair of scores in the near upset win at Auburn. That earned him a spot in the starting lineup even after Burks returned.
A torn ACL on a kickoff return against Florida ended Warren’s season. In seven games, he caught 15 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 35 yards on four carries.
Now he’s giving wide receivers coach Justin Stepp a deeply talented and experienced room and Briles has multiple options with playmakers to do his thing.
The Hogs are starting preparations for the Texas Bowl on Thursday night in Houston against TCU, but more announcements could be coming from other players after Grant Morgan, Myron Cunningham and Ty Clary announced over the weekend they are returning.
