Arkansas football’s seventh practice of the preseason drew a full house of reporters eager to see the Razorbacks’ progress under head coach Ryan Silverfield. The media witnessed a 7‑on‑7 drill for the first time in the Silverfield era, with all snaps occurring near the red zone, providing an early glimpse of the team’s offensive rhythm.
Key Moments from the Seventh Practice
The session’s headline came when sophomore wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield erupted for an 88‑yard touchdown after a hard‑count trick from quarterback AJ Hill, a play that instantly entered the school record books. Hill’s hard count drew an offside penalty, gifting the offense a free play that Crutchfield capitalized on with a sprint down the sideline.
Offensively, KJ Jackson contributed both as a receiver and a runner, linking up with Chris Marshall for a six‑yard gain before handing off to Braylen Russell for a 10‑yard rush. AJ Hill also connected on short touchdown passes to CJ Brown and Ismael Cisse during the 7‑on‑7 segment, showcasing his versatility in the pocket.
Special teams saw a rare miss as kicker Max Gilbert pulled a 48‑yard attempt wide, a blip in an otherwise sharp practice that kept the focus on the unit’s consistency.
Defensively, Steven Soles Jr. continued to impress, delivering a sack during a one‑minute drill and consistently pressuring the quarterback. Quincy Rhodes made a key tackle for loss on a fourth‑down rep, underscoring the defense’s aggressive mindset.
New Defensive Alignments
The coaching staff unveiled a new short‑yardage defensive line, inserting Xadavien Sims alongside Carlon Jones and Hunter Osborne. This configuration could reshape third‑down packages and add depth to the front seven as the season approaches.
With the media watching closely, the Razorbacks left the field with a sense of momentum, as players like Ty Lockwood, Donovan Faupel, Jelani Watkins, Brandon Ford, Antonio Jordan, Joker Johnson, Charlie Collins and Jackson Fuller all took part in competitive drills that highlighted both individual talent and team cohesion.