With three weeks left to go in a season that is not likely to provide much in the way of excitement, you have to wonder if the exit ramp out of Arkansas is going to get busy … and soon.
Chad Morris told us Wednesday before practice that Nate Dalton is out and won’t be coming back.
“He has chosen to step back and focus on his academics,” Morris said Wednesday.
He was pressed about who made that decision, but Morris answered it the way he usually does in those situations.
“He has chosen to step back,” was all Morris would say.
It may be a phrase we hear more frequently in the coming weeks.
From those who have talked with running back T.J. Hammonds, he has said he won’t be coming back. For a running back who has had flashes of big-play ability now under two different staffs, but not seen much playing time, that really isn’t surprising.
Hammonds has 10 carries for 28 yards rushing and has caught four passes for 84 yards, including a 64-yard catch of a little “pop pass” he took for a score against Colorado State in the second game of the year.
His production hasn’t been that great and has been hampered by an injury.
Wide receiver Jonathan Nance left early, choosing to transfer. The others who have left are Dylan Hayes (medical retirement) and linebacker Kyrei Fisher.
We are hearing others may be leaving, which really shouldn’t be that surprising. When a new coach comes in, some players head out early, others wait to see how things are going to play out … then leave when it doesn’t work the way they want.
That’s the way of the world in college athletics these days.
