The lowest catch total for any Arkansas tight end in the last decade-plus is 21. Blake Kern has just five receptions in five games so far, leading the Hogs.
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Arkansas football in 2021 is unquestionably better than it was in 2020.
One place where the Razorbacks are not as good, though, is at a position of usual strength for the team.
Arkansas tight ends have total of five catches for 61 yards in five games this season. All five grabs belong to Blake Kern.
It’s a modest concern, even as the Razorbacks sit at 4-1 overall. Kern and Hudson Henry combined for 36 catches and 296 yards and three touchdowns last year. The fewest catches any individual tight end has had at Arkansas in the last 12 years is 21. That was in 2017 when Cheyenne O’Grady set that mark.
But even then Arkansas had Austin Cantrell (13 catches) and Jeremy Patton (11 catches).
One reason for the low numbers this year? Henry. It isn’t his fault whatsoever as he’s been hurt. But not having him has limited quarterback KJ Jefferson’s options in his first year as a full-time starter. Tight ends have often served as safety valves in the Hogs offenses of years past.
Coach Sam Pittman is hoping Henry is finally getting healthy now.
“He’s got talent. He’s been beat up all year. It’s just been a bad year to this point,” Pittman said. You’re not even halfway through the season, so I anticipate that he’ll come on. He’s practiced, a little beat up this week but hopefully he’ll be ready by Saturday.”
Kern has struggled being practically solo at the position in 2021. He has a couple of drops and has committed more penalties than Pittman and tight ends coach Dowell Loggains are comfortable with. Arkansas needed more bodies at the spot, too, so the offense moved former wide receiver Trey Knox over a few weeks ago. Knox has seen a bit of time in recent weeks.
Knox may not bring the blocking ability Kern and Henry bring – and Pittman praised the tight ends’ blocking this season – but he can be a threat running routes. He had 35 career catches, but couldn’t crack the rotation out wide this year or much of last.
“I think Trey Knox could be a really good tight end for us if he can put on 25-30 pounds, which I think he’ll be able to do in the offseason,” Pittman said. “He’s a willing blocker. He’s got good leverage. He’s really good with his hands. And of course we know he would be a fast tight end.”
With Henry potentially back into game shape Saturday and the development of Knox, expect Jefferson and the Hogs look more to the tight end spot starting this weekend against Ole Miss.
