Wanted to highlight some guys I've heard good things about from people this spring. Some of them you probably expect, some less so, but these are guys that I think will take a step forward in terms of production and playing time this year:
1) Jonathan Nance, WR--He's easily been the newcomer that has caught your eye the most at practices. I'll be shocked if he isn't a starter come fall. I was a little bit skeptical when he came in, just because I figured if you're not getting on the field for a team like Arkansas, what should we really expect? But he's making a lot of plays in practices and I've heard good things on the field and in the locker room about him.
2) Jatorian Hansford, DE--Coming into this spring, Trajan Jeffcoat was the defensive end I'd have said would take that step, but in the words of one person this spring, Hansford "has turned the corner." He's going to get plenty of opportunities out of sheer necessity. Now we'll see if he can take advantage of them.
3) Khmari Thompson, WR--Every single time his name has come up, someone has said some version of "He's having a really nice spring." He's moved inside and seems more comfortable with that role. That said, with Johnathon Johnson (who most expect to be this team's leading receiver) and Dominic Gicinto in the slot, opportunities may be somewhat limited for Thompson this season.
4) Larry Borom, OG--This isn't really anything I've heard, but it's more of what I've seen. Every time I look out at the offensive line, it's Borom at left guard. That's a pretty good spring for a guy who's never been on the field while his main competition (Case Cook) has. In a situation like that, you'd expect the vet to have a leg up, but it looks to me like Borom would be the starter if the season opened this weekend.
5) Aubrey Miller, LB--I hesitate to put this one on here because the PowerMizzou hype train will start rolling immediately. I talked to Miller last week and he's a kid that has really figured things out off the field and has his priorities in order. And I've heard some talk that it's paying off on the field. Miller has always had the athletic ability, but from what I could see, something was always holding him back. It may have been he didn't know where to be, maybe it was more film room or off the field stuff, but he always seemed to be in the doghouse. A lot of guys in that post transfer and Miller told me he considered it, but he stuck it out. It's almost like when he decided football wasn't everything in life, he not only got better at the other stuff, but it helped his football. I don't expect him to be a starter, but I do think this could be the year he seems some time on defense.
There are other guys playing well too. Jarvis Ware, Brendan Scales, Markell Utsey, Jalen Knox and Chris Turner are all names I've heard from people at times this spring. Thought we'd throw a quick bit together for you until practice this afternoon.
1) Jonathan Nance, WR--He's easily been the newcomer that has caught your eye the most at practices. I'll be shocked if he isn't a starter come fall. I was a little bit skeptical when he came in, just because I figured if you're not getting on the field for a team like Arkansas, what should we really expect? But he's making a lot of plays in practices and I've heard good things on the field and in the locker room about him.
2) Jatorian Hansford, DE--Coming into this spring, Trajan Jeffcoat was the defensive end I'd have said would take that step, but in the words of one person this spring, Hansford "has turned the corner." He's going to get plenty of opportunities out of sheer necessity. Now we'll see if he can take advantage of them.
3) Khmari Thompson, WR--Every single time his name has come up, someone has said some version of "He's having a really nice spring." He's moved inside and seems more comfortable with that role. That said, with Johnathon Johnson (who most expect to be this team's leading receiver) and Dominic Gicinto in the slot, opportunities may be somewhat limited for Thompson this season.
4) Larry Borom, OG--This isn't really anything I've heard, but it's more of what I've seen. Every time I look out at the offensive line, it's Borom at left guard. That's a pretty good spring for a guy who's never been on the field while his main competition (Case Cook) has. In a situation like that, you'd expect the vet to have a leg up, but it looks to me like Borom would be the starter if the season opened this weekend.
5) Aubrey Miller, LB--I hesitate to put this one on here because the PowerMizzou hype train will start rolling immediately. I talked to Miller last week and he's a kid that has really figured things out off the field and has his priorities in order. And I've heard some talk that it's paying off on the field. Miller has always had the athletic ability, but from what I could see, something was always holding him back. It may have been he didn't know where to be, maybe it was more film room or off the field stuff, but he always seemed to be in the doghouse. A lot of guys in that post transfer and Miller told me he considered it, but he stuck it out. It's almost like when he decided football wasn't everything in life, he not only got better at the other stuff, but it helped his football. I don't expect him to be a starter, but I do think this could be the year he seems some time on defense.
There are other guys playing well too. Jarvis Ware, Brendan Scales, Markell Utsey, Jalen Knox and Chris Turner are all names I've heard from people at times this spring. Thought we'd throw a quick bit together for you until practice this afternoon.
