The Razorbacks gathered for an 11‑on‑11 preseason practice that offered a first glimpse of the team’s evolving units, with the defense testing against the third‑team offense and the first‑team offense working through early snap issues.
Freshman cornerback Brandon Ford made his presence felt immediately, delivering a tackle for loss, breaking up a pass and intercepting a ball in quick succession, a turnover that stopped a potential touchdown on first‑and‑10 from the 12‑yard line.
Coach Silverfield’s Praise
Head coach Ryan Silverfield highlighted Ford’s performance, noting that the young player consistently catches the eye and has the makings of a reliable contributor for the Razorbacks.
The first‑team offense stumbled on its opening snap, as a bad exchange by center Caden Kitler halted momentum, and later a fumble by AJ Hill added to the early setbacks.
New Drills and Unexpected Moments
Quarterbacks KJ Jackson and AJ Hill worked on short‑range accuracy, connecting with receivers such as Chris Marshall and Jaden Platt, while also experimenting with shovel passes in a new drill that had offensive players retrieve a ball from stacked pads and sprint to the end zone against single defenders.
The exercise produced a power run by Bryant Williams and a solid push from Quincy Rhodes, showcasing the team’s willingness to test unconventional tactics.
Backup linebacker Jeremy Evans continued to impress, making key stops like a fourth‑and‑1 tackle that denied a Jasper Parker touchdown, underscoring his push for more snaps behind the starters.
Overall, the session illustrated both the promise of emerging talent and the growing pains of a unit still seeking cohesion as the Razorbacks prepare for the upcoming season.