AJ Green and Trajan Jeffcoat shared some insight during the “Sam Pittman Live” radio show Wednesday night.
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman challenged his team this week. And through the first three practices leading up to the BYU game, the Razorbacks have prepared with a game-type atmosphere, according to junior running back AJ Green.
Green and senior defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat were guests on the “Sam Pittman Live” radio show at the Catfish Hole Wednesday night. Both offered some insight as to what the focus and preparation has been like for Saturday’s game against a Big 12 opponent.
“We didn’t really play up to our standards against Kent State,” Green admitted. “So, coming in on Monday I already knew that practice was going to be like a game-type deal. And that’s been everybody’s mindset this week. We are all just flying around, correcting the mistakes that we made in that game, and getting better every day.”
With first-year offensive coordinator Dan Enos installing a new offense this season, the Razorbacks have continued to adjust in the first two games, but hope to have things ironed out for the Cougars.
“This is still a new offense for all of us, so we are all still learning it, trying to perfect our craft,” Green said. “We’ve obviously got some new people on the line, some people have left, so we are still getting comfortable with each other. We’re just going to keep getting better. That’s what we are working on every week.”
He said Sanders, who has been hampered by a sore knee, has remained a vital part of the running back room, helping out in any way he can.
“He’s still in there with us, watching film and stuff,” Green said. “He’s always in our ear telling us stuff, and helping us out with the plays.”
The defense has looked sharp through the first two games, allowing just one total touchdown in the pair of victories. But Jeffcoat, who was just named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, said the grind continues to keep improving.
The Missouri transfer was a big factor in the win over Kent State, recording three tackles, with two tackles for loss of 11 yards, and added a career-high 1.5 sacks, for a loss of nine yards. He made a huge play at the goal line to help keep the Golden Flashes out of the end zone, and helped Arkansas hold their opponents to just 26 total rushing yards – the fewest by a Razorback opponent since New Mexico State gained just 11 yards, in 2017.
“Every day, we are just out there getting better,” he said. “Every day, everybody makes plays. As a unit we look at it as we have a lot of ammunition for every team. Everybody on our defensive line is good — our whole defense is good this year. It’s a great companionship out there. We just reload and keep going.”
Green, who has to face that defensive front in practice, totally agrees.
“They are all super good and they just roll,” he said. “They can wear an offensive line out, easily. They know how to get off the edge. They know how to win inside. It’s hard going against them everyday, but it gives us great looks. And I think that’s why our offensive line and running game is going to get way better.”
Jeffcoat said they have studied the film and game-planned for the Cougars. Now it’s just a matter of hitting the field and performing.
“It’s definitely going to be a dog fight, and we respect the other team, but we also know who we are,” he said.
Led by Rocket Sanders, the Arkansas running back room could be as loaded as it’s ever been.
Reminiscent of the mid-2000s, the Arkansas running back room is arguably the best in the SEC, top to bottom, and one of the elite groups in the nation.
It’s been nearly 17 years since two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden left for the NFL, along with one-time running mates Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. The 2006 roster also including a dynamic freshman, in future 1,000-yard back Michael Smith.
The Hogs have had some other stellar ball-carriers since then, with the likes of Broderick Green, Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins, Rawleigh Williams III and Rakeem Boyd. But this year’s complete stable of backs may be unmatched, when all is said and done. And it all starts with the explosive Rocket Man.
Starter: Raheim “Rocket” Sanders
Arkansas’ Raheim Sanders (5) runs the ball against the Mississippi Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 19, 2022. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Class: Junior
Measurables: 6-2, 242 lbs.
Last Season: Ran for 1,443 yards on 222 attempts with 10 touchdowns and a long of 76 yards against Auburn. He also caught 28 passes for 271 yards and a pair of TDs, averaging 9.7 yards per catch, with a long of 73 yards against Missouri State. In his 250 total touches, he did not fumble the ball.
After adding 15 pounds this offseason, the Rockledge, Fla., product, has been able to get bigger and stronger, while improving his already-elite speed. He admits that he feels better than ever entering what could be his final season in Fayetteville. It also helps that he gets to team up with senior KJ Jefferson, arguably the best quarterback in the conference, and is getting comfortable in new offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ pro-style offense.
“A lot of learning with the new offensive coordinator,” Sanders said. “(KJ Jefferson) makes me comfortable, the offensive coordinator (Dan Enos), and him as well. I just feel more comfortable this year just talking to him and learning new things and always going in for questions. He’s always there for me.”
Enos has been enamored with Sanders’ consistent effort and competitiveness, even in practice.
“You would think that he’s a freshman that just got here,” Enos said. “When I say that, I mean his attitude and his demeanor and the way he practices. He doesn’t practice like a guy who rushed for 1,500 yards last year and has all these accolades. He runs the ball in practice like a guy who is very hungry and has something to prove.”
Vegas currently has Sanders at 150-1 to win the Heisman Trophy, which also depends heavily on the team’s success, but if he can remain healthy, those odds could shrink in a hurry.
Back-up 2A: Rashod Dubinion
Arkansas running back Rashod Dubinion (6) catches the game-winning two-point conversion in the third overtime against Kansas in the 2022 Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Arkansas won 55-53. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Class: Sophomore
Measurables: 5-10, 216 lbs.
Last Season: As a true freshman, he ran for 293 yards on 71 attempts with five touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 12 passes for 108 yards and another TD, averaging 9.0 yards per catch. In his 83 total touches, he did not fumble the ball.
The high 3-Star recruit out of Ellenwood, Ga., came in as the nation’s No. 22 athlete, according to 247Sports, choosing the Razorbacks over a long-list of Power-5 programs, such as Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Ole Miss.
He played in all 13 games last season and quickly turned heads with his elusive speed and ability to find holes, as well as pass-catching skills. He turned in his best performance against Kansas in the Liberty Bowl, rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, to go along with three receptions for 19 yards.
2023 Outlook: The talented back looks primed to take things up another notch this season after dedicating himself to the weight room in the offseason, under the watchful eye of new strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowder.
“Rashod is a football player,” said running backs coach Jimmy Smith. “He loves football. But when he first got here, the weight room was something he had to do, not something he wanted to do. As time went on, he started lifting weights and saw his body changing.
“Now he knows and he’s started enjoying the weight room. Coach Sowders held him accountable and started making him do it. Then once he started making him do it, he saw the changes and he started wanting to do it. It’s going to be really good for him.”
Back-up 2B: AJ Green
Class: Junior
Measurables: 5-11, 205 lbs.
Last Season: As a sophomore, he ran for 412 yards on 87 attempts with three touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught six passes for 75 yards, averaging 12.5 yards per catch. Like Sanders and Dubinion, he did not fumble the ball.
The Tulsa Union alum came to Arkansas two years ago, as a 4-Star prospect, the No. 2 player in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 188 overall prep player in the nation. Green has been a solid change-of-pace back the last two seasons with his speed and receiving ability, and will likely continue to split second-team reps with Dubinion.
2023 Outlook: Green returns with outstanding top-end track speed, running a 10.38 in the 100 meters, and a 21.46 in 200 meters. He has a great initial burst with home run-hitting long speed, and has proven to have slippery strength to run through arm tackles. He showcased these traits with a 30-yard touchdown sprint against Texas as a freshman, and a few times last season, including a 20-yard jaunt against Kansas in the Liberty Bowl, which was also his first career 100-yard game
Although he could have opted to transfer after last season to seek more playing time elsewhere, Green remains all Hog.
“We all know if we wanted to go somewhere, we could play,” he said. “But why do that, when we have some of the best players right here that’s going to push us to our best potential? We’re brothers. We don’t hate on each other (and say) ‘oh, he’s getting this many carries’ and this and that. We’re just pushing each other to be the best that we can.”
Fourth Team: Dominique Johnson
Dominique Johnson (20) rushes for a touchdown against Georgia Southern at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Class: RS-Junior
Measurables: 6-1, 252 lbs.
Last Season: He was the starter at running back for the majority of the 2021 season, before tearing his ACL during Razorbacks’ 24-10 victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. After surgery and rehab, he missed the first three games of 2022, before injuring the same knee again later in the year. He finished the season with just eight carries for 43 yards, but maintained his year of eligibility with a redshirt.
2023 Outlook: When the Crowley, Texas, native arrived at Arkansas as 3-Star recruit in 2020, his role was still up in the air. He spent a day with the tight ends, before rejoining the running backs and eventually becoming the starter as a sophomore. His bruising style endeared himself to the coaches, which he put on display in a 40-21 win over Texas, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a 5-yard bullrush through the middle of the Longhorns’ defense. Now that he appears to be back fully healthy, that power running could benefit the Hogs again this season.
Johnson could have easily called it quits after multiple knee injuries, and is well aware of where he now sits in the pecking order. But he is back on the field with something to prove.
“Basically now again, I’m the fourth running back,” he said. “So it’s not a problem for me. I feel like as long as I keep doing how I do, run my way, my way is going to come into play. Gameday, we might need it, so I just do what I do. Encourage everybody else to keep going like that.”
New strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowders has helped Johnson add more muscle and strength this offseason, so without any setbacks, he may return to being a vital part of the run game.
“His body is different,” running backs coach Jimmy Smith said. “There’s more muscle. They took care of him. Even when he was hurt, he did a good job of doing stuff, just keeping the conditioning going. They did a good job of it. He’s kind of ahead of it because he was already in condition. When he started back running, he could do more running.”
Freshman: Isaiah Augustave
Class: Freshman
Measurables: 6-2, 208 lbs.
Last Season: The talented 4-Star out of Naples, Fla., was ranked the No. 13 high school running back in the nation, and the No. 174 overall recruit, according to 247Sports. As a senior, he had 110 carries for 1,061 yards — 9.6 yards per carry — and 11 touchdowns, including three 100-yard games. He had a slew of Division I offers and chose the Hogs over the likes of Florida State, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky.
2023 Outlook: Augustave has a tall, lean, athletic build, with good muscle mass and a frame that should allow him to continue adding bulk, under new strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowders. He possesses the top end speed to hit the long run, running an 11.01 in the 100 meters. He has the burst to hit holes straight on and the wiggle to make the first man miss, or elude an open-field tackler in space.
He is excited to be a Razorback and has already developed a close relationship with his teammates and running backs coach Jimmy Smith.
“We just really clicked, like we vibe together,” Augustave said. “I fell in love with the campus, and the coaches are all good people. They are all there for the players, it’s like a family up here and just reminds a lot of what I already got at Naples High.”
Freshman: Emmanuel Crawford
Class: Freshman
Measurables: 5-10, 168 lbs.
Last Season: Was Oklahoma’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year, after finishing high school with 6,777 career rushing yards, the most in Class 5A history. He also tallied 93 career rushing touchdowns and 13 career receiving scores. As a senior, led Grove, Okla., to a 13-1 record, rushing for 2,304 yards and 36 touchdowns on 230 carries, averaging 10 yards per attempt and 235.3 rushing yards per game. He also caught 19 passes for 546 yards, averaging 28.7 yards per reception, and seven TD catches.
2023 Outlook: Hailing from Head Coach Sam Pittman’s high school alma mater, Crawford was not heavily recruited by Power 5 schools, due to his slight build. His work in the classroom garnered offers from Air Force, Army and Navy, but Crawford decided to walk on at Arkansas. Despite his size, the speedster is not your typical walk-on, and could have a bright future down the line with the Razorbacks.
Running backs coach Jimmy Smith feels Crawford can get up to around 180 pounds and has the potential to emerge into a change-of-pace role as a scat-back in his career, as he learns the finer points of the position.
“He’ll have a role, a scat-back,” Smith said. “He’s a quick little joker, always scooting around. I had to slow him down a little bit. I tell him all the time, at running back, it’s not about going fast all the time. It’s about the pace and being able to understand the pace of certain runs. So right now he’s doing everything fast, but I’d rather him go too fast than too slow. So he’ll be alright.”
Rocket Sanders has gotten most of the attention this summer, but there’s a room full of talented backs behind him waiting for their opportunity.
The Arkansas rushing attack starts with Rocket Sanders, but the guys behind him are hungry to prove they’re just as talented and capable.
Junior tailback [autotag]AJ Green[/autotag] has been a solid change-of-pace back the last two seasons with his speed and receiving ability. [autotag]Rashod Dubinion [/autotag] burst onto the scene last season as a true freshman, finishing with 401 yards of total offense and six touchdowns. Don’t forget about [autotag]Dominique Johnson[/autotag] either. The starter in 2021, Johnson is back to full health after tearing his ACL in the Outback Bowl and then again in October of last season.
That’s without mentioning true freshman Isaiah Augustave or walk-on Emmanuel Crawford – both extremely gifted in their own rights with bright futures ahead.
Some coaches might look at having a position group that crowded as a detriment, but running backs coach [autotag]Jimmy Smith[/autotag] embraces it. He has instilled an “earn your keep” mentality amongst his group of guys that keeps everyone at their best at all times.
“There’s not a starter for a season, there’s a starter for a week. Everybody’s got to earn their keep every week,” Smith said. “It’s a big deal for you to practice good everyday, because we’re in the business of winning games. We’re in the business of putting the best person out there. That’s our philosophy, put the best person out there at that time.”
Having that many talented players and only limited opportunities, it might look impossible to manage from an outside prospective but Smith disagrees.
“Honestly, from the outside it looks difficult but for me it is fun,” Smith said. “I’ve got 1A, 1B, 1C, and I’ve got Dominique and Isaiah on the way. It ain’t difficult for me. It’s fun. They compete.”
While Rocket is still the clear bell cow for Arkansas, it’s comforting to know that the depth chart is full of capable tailbacks. We’ll get to see this stacked running back group in action less than a month from now when they open the season against Western Carolina on Sept. 2.
There was plenty to like from the defense on Thursday
The return of football didn’t bring any starters with it but there was still plenty to like for the Cleveland Browns during Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game victory over the New York Jets. The Browns had several players flashing during the game including linebacker Tony Fields II who was flying all over the field. Edge Alex Wright looked faster off the line of scrimmage and made several nice plays against the run.
But according to PFF, some of the best play came from the defensive backs including rookie fifth-round pick Cameron Mitchell. Let’s take a look at the 10 highest-graded Browns defenders according to PFF from the victory over the Jets.
The former offensive coordinator didn’t consistently show how often he would use the depth in the backfield, but all that could change in Dan Enos’s new offense.
Let’s take a look back at the top photos from A.J. Green’s college and NFL career
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver A.J. Green has retired from the NFL after 12 seasons.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Green with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He spent 10 seasons with Cincinnati before playing his final two years with the Arizona Cardinals.
Green made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven years in the NFL. Green is the only player, other than Randy Moss, to record over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his five seasons.
He finishes his NFL career with 10,514 receiving yards and 70 touchdowns. The former Georgia star has a strong argument to make the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Green came to Georgia in 2008 as an athletic and lanky superstar out of Summerville, South Carolina, who excelled in football and basketball. He arrived in Athens as a five-star recruit and as the No. 7 player in the nation.
His freshman season at Georgia was outstanding, but the Bulldogs failed to live up to preseason expectations. Green finished his college career with 2,619 receiving yards, third all-time in Georgia history. He absolutely dominated several games in college (Arizona State 2009, Colorado 2010, and Auburn 2010).
Let’s take a look back at the top photos from A.J. Green’s college and NFL career:
Former Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green announced his NFL retirement on Monday.
The seven-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection played 12 seasons, racking up 727 receptions, 10,514 receiving yards and 70 receiving touchdowns.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoVOuM2JWLn/?hl=en
Green is considered one of the best players to ever don The Red & Black.
The Summerville, S.C., native appeared in 32 games for the Bulldogs in three seasons from 2008-2010 and caught 166 passes for 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Despite Green’s short career in Athens, the 2011 No. 4 overall pick left Georgia with the second-most receiving touchdowns, the third-most career receiving yards and the fourth-most career receptions in UGA history.
One of the greatest ever do it. Twitter reactions to AJ Green announcing his retirement.
Former Georgia wide receiver AJ Green announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday following his 12th season of professional football.
Green was the fourth pick overall in the 2011 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, with whom he spent 10 seasons with before playing his final two years with the Arizona Cardinals.
Green made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven years in the league, and he is the only player other than Randy Moss to record 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his first five seasons. He came up 36 yards short in his sixth year and then topped 1,000 once again in his seventh season.
He finishes his career with 10,514 receiving yards and 70 touchdowns. He’s a seven-time pro-bowler.
Green came to UGA in 2008 as an athletic, lanky, 6-foot-4 superstar out of Summerville, South Carolina, where he excelled in football and basketball. He arrived in Athens as a five-star recruit and as the seventh-ranked player in the nation.
His freshman season was outstanding in Athens. In the fourth game of his college career, against Arizona State, he had eight catches for 159 yards and a touchdown in the 27–10 victory. That was his coming-out party, and he never looked back. Green finished his college career with 2,619 receiving yards, third all-time in Georgia history.
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns decided in the modern NFL they needed more corner talent to combat high-power passing attacks. The AFC is full of talented pass catchers and has a ton of talent at the quarterback position. So general manager Andrew Berry used his top pick to take Martin Emerson despite having Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II already on the roster.
It turned out that was a great decision after Emerson had the best season of the three this year. No doubt the team likes where the position group is headed overall but if there is an opportunity to improve it wouldn’t be shocking to see even more added to the room.
Green made three 3-pointers and finished with a career high on Monday to help the Bucks defeat the Magic on the road.
ORLANDO, Fla. — AJ Green logged just 10 minutes of work, but he made the most of those minutes on Monday as his breakout performance helped the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Orlando Magic.
Green finished with a career-high 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, in the 109-102 victory. He had six points in the fourth quarter as the Bucks held on to put the Magic away late.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Bobby Portis had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Jrue Holiday added 17 points and 10 assists. Green, along with fellow two-way player Sandro Mamukelashvili, accounted for 20 of the Bucks’ 29 points off the bench.
“That is a really good night in really important minutes,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I think it speaks to our front office (with) the way they find players whether it be in the second round or undrafted like AJ. We try and put them in and give them opportunities and both of those guys tonight were huge for us.”
The performance by Green was just his eighth appearance of the season and only the third time logging at least 10 minutes. He topped his season total of 11 points on Monday and did so with the Bucks down Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen and MarJon Beauchamp.
He wanted to capitalize on the newfound opportunity.
I think the more reps and experience you get, the more comfortable you get out there and kinda figure out what works and what doesn’t. The trust of Coach Bud to play me means a lot and I’m going to try to make the most of that opportunity.
The former Northern Iowa guard has made five appearances in the NBA G League with the Wisconsin Herd with playing time at a premium in Milwaukee. He is averaging 21.2 points, six rebounds and 3.2 assists on 46.3% shooting from 3-point range on 10.8 attempts.
The opportunity to play with the Herd has helped keep him fresh and in a groove on the court. He is playing on average 30.3 minutes per game, which helped prepare him for his chance on Monday.
Those (minutes) have been huge to go down there and play 30-plus minutes and really keep that feel and keep that confidence being able to play free and play your game. To go back and forth is huge. If you’re up here, you might go a stretch with not playing or you can go down to the G and play and stay in shape and keep that rhythm.
Of course, Green is still learning and transitioning to the improved pace and physicality of the game in the NBA. He also saw extended minutes on Saturday in a win over the Hornets, recording eight points, three rebounds and one assist.
With several veterans on the roster, Green has a strong supporting cast around him. On one sequence on Monday, Green checked out and was immediately greeted by Wesley Matthews. The 13-year vet talked him through a few plays and gave him some words of wisdom.
“That is a difference-maker,” Green said. “They have so many years of experience and know all of the ins and outs and the little things to help you and get you along quicker. I really appreciate the love that they show and the knowledge.”
Green will continue to split his time between the NBA and G League as the 23-year-old develops his game and grows on the court. Certainly, the effort on Monday will go a long way in building his confidence.
