Arkansas enters the season ranked 10th in the USA Today coaches poll and 11th by CBSSports.com. As usual, the question will be whether this exciting team can get over the hump and beat Alabama or LSU.
Here are three position battles to monitor in fall camp:
1. Linebacker
Top contenders: Kiero Small, Braylon Mitchell, Robert Atiga, Terrell Williams, Otha Peters
Alonzo Highsmith (80 tackles, 12.5 for loss last season) and converted defensive end Tenarius Wright are virtual locks to start, but after that this LB corps is one big question mark. Small is a 5-10, 255-pound battering ram who’s being asked to move over from fullback. Peters is a 6-1, 228-pound true freshman who could contribute immediately. Mitchell should earn a bigger role after appearing in 10 games last season, mostly on special teams.
2. Wide receiver
Top contenders: Javontee Herndon, Julian Horton, Keante Minor, Demetrius Wilson
The Razorbacks lost three wideouts to the NFL, and Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey were kicked off the team following a May burglary arrest. Cobi Hamilton returns and should have a monster season. But who else will emerge? JUCO transfer Wilson is a 6-3, 180 pounder who caught 51 passes for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at Glendale Community College. Herndon showed flashes last season, including a four-catch performance vs. Mississippi State. Another junior, Horton, has 13 career catches and started against Alabama last season.
3. Offensive tackle
Top contenders: Jason Peacock, Brey Cook, David Hurd, Grady Ollison, Chris Stringer
When both starting tackle jobs are up for grabs, it’s not an ideal situation. The sophomore Cook (6-7, 317) played in 11 games last year and is set up to win one job. Peacock started nine games last year, then got suspended in the spring following an offseason arrest. Hurd, who appeared in just two games last season, took Peacock's spot in the spring and will try to keep it now.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
