Tag: Hudson Clark

Report: These super seniors are expected to return to Arkansas football in 2024

According to reports, Arkansas football is expected to return these nine super seniors for 2024. Here’s a closer look at each of them.

Arkansas football is expected to return nine super seniors for the 2024 season. Best of Arkansas Sports’ Andrew Hutchinson first broke the news on Thursday Morning.

Of those nine, four are on the offensive side of the ball and five are on the defensive side. For the Razorback offense, wide receivers [autotag]Andrew Armstrong[/autotag], [autotag]Isaac TeSlaa[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyrone Broden[/autotag] are set to return. Offensive lineman [autotag]Ty’Kieast Crawford[/autotag] is also returning to the Hogs.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive backs [autotag]Hudson Clark[/autotag] and [autotag]Kee’yon Stewart [/autotag]are set to return, as are defensive linemen [autotag]Eric Gregory[/autotag], [autotag]Keivie Rose[/autotag], and [autotag]Jashaud Stewart[/autotag]. It’s worth noting that Stewart is still indefinitely suspended from the program following an arrest in December. Because of this, his status is still technically undecided despite the expectation being that Stewart will return.

There are currently only three super seniors who haven’t announced a decision, but will not be returning to the Hogs in 2024. Offensive lineman Brady Latham has NFL Draft aspirations, while tight end Francis Sherman and defensive tackle Marcus Miller are moving on after each spent one season at Arkansas.

According to Hutchinson, the Razorbacks are at 83 scholarship players for 2024. The roster limit is 85, so there should be more movement as we get closer to spring practices.

For now, let’s take a closer look at the nine super seniors expected to return next season.

Is Arkansas safety Hudson Clark poised for another breakout season?

Hudson Clark has added size this offseason, but can the senior safety have another year like he did in 2020?

One of the biggest surprises during the 2020 season was [autotag]Hudson Clark[/autotag]. A relatively unknown walk-on cornerback quickly became a fan-favorite and key part of the Razorback defense in [autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag]’s first season as head coach.

Fast forward three seasons and Clark’s performance has been a mixed bag. In 2021, he struggled to replicate a lot of the success that made him a household name the year before. Clark moved to safety ahead of the 2022 season – out of necessity – and put together a good season despite Arkansas having the worst passing defense in college football.

He finished 2022 with 67 tackles, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception in 13 games. One of the biggest issues with Clark is his lack of size and athleticism compared to the elite SEC safeties. He became the focus of fan criticism on multiple occasions last season after getting ran over by opposing running backs and receivers while attempting to make a stop.

This led to a large portion of the fanbase underrating what Clark brings and ignoring that he’s actually a very serviceable defensive back. Pro Football Focus had Clark as the second best safety in the entire SEC in 2022 with a coverage grade of 77.0.

The coaching staff knew that Clark’s biggest weakness was his lack of size, and it looks like [autotag]Ben Sowders[/autotag] and the strength staff has addressed that issue this offseason. Clark, who is listed at 188 pounds, added about 12 pounds over the summer. In his pre-camp media session on Wednesday, head coach Sam Pittman talked about Clark’s gains over the offseason.

“Hudson Clark ended up gaining about 12 pounds this summer,” said Pittman. “Which he needed to. We would ask him to go in there and fill a hole on a running back and he didn’t have enough behind to fill it. He’s there but he just couldn’t get them on the ground at times. He’s one guy that sticks out.”

We’ll see if that added size proves to be what Clark needed to have another breakout season like he did in 2020. It shouldn’t be a surprise to you see Clark have another good year and help turn the Razorback secondary around.

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Arkansas Football Offseason Depth Chart – Safeties

We looked at the cornerbacks yesterday and discussed how the unit would be much different with little experience returning from last year. The same thing goes for the safeties. The most significant change from a season ago is losing All-American …

We looked at the cornerbacks yesterday and discussed how the unit would be much different with little experience returning from last year.

The same thing goes for the safeties.

The most significant change from a season ago is losing All-American safety Jalen Catalon. Before his season-ending injury, Catalon was considered one of the SEC’s best defensive players. Losing that kind of talent and experience will shake up any depth chart, especially when he decides to leave the campus.

One change that might help the group is switching former cornerback Hudson Clark to the free safety position. Clark had a rough season last year, but he was part of a group that couldn’t get it together.

Switching Clark over to safety doesn’t guarantee the same production as Catalon, but the experience should be there.

Long story short: Fans should be more appreciative of Arkansas DB Hudson Clark

Arkansas defensive back Hudson Clark deserves more credit from fans, coach Sam Pittman says.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was asked about Hudson Clark on Wednesday in the coach’s final press conference before Liberty visits on Saturday. That part isn’t unusual.

The question was prefaced by something most Hogs fans who are on Twitter already know: Clark catches a lot of heat on social media. The question was, ostensibly, why some segments of the Razorbacks’ fan base treat him that way. After all, Clark has been the team’s most consistent member of the secondary this year and is a two-year starter.

Pittman agreed.

“He’s an accountable kid. He’s gotten better each and every year,” Pittman said. “He’s one of the most reliable guys we have on the team. We feel very comfortable to put him at either one of those spots.”

Clark was named Arkansas’ nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy earlier in the week. He has 32 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles for the Razorbacks this season. Pittman and defensive coordinator moved him from cornerback to safety when Arkansas lacked depth there because of injury.

Pittman had simple advice for Clark and just about anyone who may read into such social media nonsense.

“I always tell folks if you don’t know people, why would you care what their opinion is about you,” Pittman said. “There’s some disgruntled people in this world and there’s some happy people. The ones that are disgruntled, they don’t know you. It’s probably best not to listen to them.”

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Hudson Clark earns SEC co-defensive player of the week honors

Clark made a career-high 11 tackles and recorded an interception in Arkansas’ 52-35 win over BYU last Saturday.

[autotag]Hudson Clark[/autotag] has been an accommodating player all season long for Arkansas.

He recently moved from cornerback to safety to offset recent injuries to the unit. That move paid off, as he had a career day at BYU last Saturday.

The junior from Dallas, Texas made a career-high 11 tackles and recorded his first interception since the 2020 season in Arkansas’ 52-35 win over BYU, which lead him to be awarded the SEC co-defensive player of the week.

Here is what the SEC said about Clark’s game on Saturday:

  • Anchored Arkansas’ defense in a 52-35 win over BYU, finishing with a team and career-high 11 stops, including four solo tackles, with one interception and one fumble recovery.
  • Clark is the only defender in the SEC and one of two FBS defenders (Virginia DB Jonas Sanker) this season to record 10+ tackles with an interception and a fumble recovery.
  • Made a crucial interception at the ARK32 with 2:22 left in the second quarter to keep the Cougars from scoring before half and give possession back to the Razorbacks, leading to an eventual touchdown for a 31-21 lead to close the half.
  • Recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter to set up an Arkansas drive that knocked 10:29 off the clock, sealing the Razorback win.
  • Part of a Razorback defense that forced three BYU turnovers, including BYU’s first two lost fumbles of the season.
  • Entering the game, BYU had only turned the ball over twice all season. Helped Arkansas become the first SEC team to win in Provo since 2000.

Through seven games, Clark has made 28 stops, forced two fumbles, and recorded one interception.

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How does the ESPN Football Power Index forecast Arkansas’ final five games?

Arkansas enters the bye week with momentum after beating BYU on the road. Does the ESPN FPI see them keeping it?

The Arkansas Razorbacks returned to the win column last Saturday by defeating BYU in impressive fashion, 52-35 at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.

Quarterback [autotag]K.J. Jefferson[/autotag] returned from injury to throw for 353 yards and five touchdowns, while [autotag]Raheim Sanders[/autotag] rushed for a season-high 175 yards and two scores. Defensively, [autotag]Hudson Clark[/autotag] made 11 stops and picked off Cougar quarterback Jaren Hall.

The win gave Arkansas heavy momentum heading into the bye week. So, how will they use that to their advantage as they prepare to play five final games?

The Razorbacks have a chance to win every remaining game on their schedule by the eye test, but the Football Power Index from ESPN says otherwise.

The formula that measures team strength, and is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season, is sticking true to their preseason projections. The FPI projects Arkansas to win just two more games this season, which would give Arkansas a final record of 6-6.

The Razorbacks will play just two more games on the road, once at Auburn and again at Missouri, with their three toughest remaining games being played at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Here is how the ESPN FPI predicts Arkansas’ season to shake out.

Jefferson’s record and Landers’ big day earn them Player of the Game honors vs BYU

KJ Jefferson and Matt Landers had big days to earn Arkansas’ Player of the Game honors against BYU.

What a day to be an offensive player for the Arkansas football team.

The Razorbacks went for 637 yards of total offense in a 52-35 win over BYU on Saturday to snap a three-game losing streak. KJ Jefferson set a career high with five passing touchdowns and Rocket Sanders ran for a career-high 168 yards with two touchdowns to earn Player of the Game honors.

The win lifted the Hogs above .500 heading into their bye week. When they return October 29, Auburn and its coach-on-the-hot-seat Bryan Harsin will host down on the Plains.

Jefferson had his best game of the season Saturday, but left on Arkansas’ final drive after landing on the crown of his helmet two yards short of the goal line. He appeared fine after the game, though no status was immediately available.

Sanders only made his yards-per-game total – which led the SEC and was ninth in FBS entering – higher, going about 50 over his average.

See more details on Arkansas’ two best players and the other choices for Player of the Game below.

Photo Gallery: Arkansas back on track with win over BYU

Here are the best images from Arkansas’ 52-35 win at BYU on Saturday.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are back in the win column after taking care of BYU on Saturday, 52-35 at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.

The game saw a first-half shootout, where both Arkansas and BYU scored on six straight possessions. Two BYU turnovers turned into two Arkansas touchdowns, giving them a 31-21 lead at halftime.

The Razorbacks kept it going in the 2nd half, outscoring the Cougars, 21-14 over the final two quarters to secure the win.

[autotag]K.J. Jefferson[/autotag] had a phenomenal comeback game by completing 29-of-40 passes for 367 yards and five touchdowns. [autotag]Raheim Sanders[/autotag] added 175 yards on the ground, and an additional two touchdowns.

Defensively, [autotag]Hudson Clark[/autotag] had a great day by making 11 stops and recovering two turnovers.

Here is your chance to relive Saturday’s big win. Here are the best images from Saturday’s win.

For Texas natives on Arkansas roster, beating A&M would be extra special

The only state that has more Razorbacks than Texas is the home state itself, Arkansas.

A quick glance at the Arkansas roster and the players’ hometowns, one thing jumps out.

There’s a lot of Texas.

Twenty-eight players, in fact, on the Razorbacks football roster were born in the Lone Star State. The only state with more Hogs is, unsurprisingly, Arkansas itself. Almost half of the Natural State natives on the roster, though, are walk-ons, making Texas, perhaps the most important place in the country for Arkansas football.

That will certainly be true Saturday when the Razorbacks play Texas A&M in the Southwest Classic in Arlington, Texas. Several of those 28 players are from the Metroplex. Defensively, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has been fertile territory for the Hogs this year. Cornerback Hudson Clark, linebackers Bumper Pool and Drew Sanders, defensive end and safety Jalen Catalon are four starters who called that area home.

All but Sanders were all on the team last year when Arkansas snapped a nine-game skid to the Aggies and vaulted to the No. 8 ranking the country. Now, Sanders, a transfer from Alabama who is making a case for SEC Defensive Player of the Year alongside former teammate Will Anderson, gets his shot.

All the local fellas know what beating A&M could do for the Hogs this year. Everyone knows, actually. But for those 28, a victory will be all the sweeter.

Razorback Must Fill Open Scholarship After Crawford Enter Portal

Arkansas now has three scholarship options following the departure of Jaquayln Crawford to the transfer portal.

After [autotag]Jaqualyn Crawford[/autotag] announced that he will enter the transfer portal, it left another open scholarship for the Razorback football team.

The Razorbacks must hand out one more scholarship for early enrollees to play. 81 players are currently on scholarship for the 2022 season.

[autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag] has no direct date to hand out that 85th scholarship. Arkansas didn’t hand out scholarships until the end of the 2021 season.

“I think the walk-ons has taken a new life to it because there’s academic money that we can help them with that we weren’t able to before,” Pittman said in 2019.

“I think we can be a little more selective with our walk-ons right now because it’s not going to cost near the money, at least 3-6,000 a year less than it would cost normally. So we’re being a little more selective. We obviously want to go inside out.”

[autotag]Hudson Clark[/autotag] earned a scholarship as a walk-on in 2020 and has turned into one of the best defensive players on the Razorbacks roster.

The transfer portal is also an option, but it comes with technicalities that don’t offer many incentives for the 2022 season. Some names to look out for as walk-ons to earn a scholarship is quarterbacks Kade Renfro and Cade Fortin.

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