The University of Arkansas football program introduced an 11‑on‑11 goal‑line drill on the fifth day of its fall camp, doing so under a blistering 96‑degree sun at 3:15 p.m. The intense environment set the tone for a practice that would blend high‑tempo offensive execution with a gritty defensive showdown.
The first‑team offense responded with three crisp runs, including a 5‑yard gain by Sutton Smith and a 2‑yard rush by Cam Settles before a 4‑yard touchdown series that demonstrated the unit’s early chemistry.
AJ Hill and Donovan Faupel connected for a touchdown pass with the second‑team offense, while the defensive line immediately tested them, as Xadavien Sims, Antonio Sandel‑Bascomb and Danny Beale III recorded sacks on Hill on the opening play of the second‑team period.
KJ Jackson worked with the first‑team offense, whereas AJ Hill was assigned to the second‑team group, underscoring the competition for reps and the coaching staff’s effort to evaluate depth at multiple positions.
Versatility and Unexpected Contributions
Monte Harrison, a former baseball standout now listed as a wide receiver, served as a decoy before handing the ball to Cam Settles on a motion play, illustrating the creative uses of his unique skill set. Antonio Jordan also made a highlight‑reel catch and defender miss, suggesting he could earn increased playing time as a ball‑carrier.
The defensive line battle for the starting tackle spot featured Hunter Osborne, David Oke and Carlon Jones, while Charlie Collins, Steven Soles Jr. and Jamonta Waller vied for the JACK linebacker role, adding another layer of intrigue to the session.
Heat‑induced fatigue was evident when Shelton Lewis dropped a potential interception and Jackson missed a target to Jamari Hawkins, but the offense capped the drill with a short touchdown reception by CJ Brown from Jackson on a well‑designed flat route, proving that even in adverse conditions the team could still execute.