Tag: John Morgan III

Arkansas’ All-SEC cornerback questionable for Saturday’s game at Ole Miss

Dwight McGlothern is questionable against the Rebels. Defensive end John Morgan III is probable after being carted off against A&M.

Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern has maintained his status as one of the best players on the Razorbacks roster in 2023. When he was lost Saturday against Texas A&M, Arkansas’ chances took a hit with it.

McGlothern was removed from the game against the Aggies early with what coach Sam Pittman called after the game a concussion. As of Monday, Pittman said there’s a possibility McGlothern misses the team’s Week 6 game against Ole Miss, as well.

The junior is in his second season with the Razorbacks after transferring from LSU. McGlothern had 52 tackles with four interceptions, 10 pass break-ups and two forced fumbles last year in earning All-SEC second-team honors. His return and the injection of three starters via the transfer portal have made Arkansas’ pass defense in 2023 miles better than in 2022.

Last year, the Hogs were dead last in FBS in allowing 295 yards a game. Through five games this year, Arkansas is 67th, giving up just 227. McGlothern has nine tackles and two interceptions so far in 2023.

Pittman also said defensive end John Morgan III is probable for the game against Ole Miss. Morgan was carted off the field after what appeared to be an upper-body injury in the second half of Arkansas’ loss to Texas A&M.

Arkansas and Ole Miss are set to kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday night.

Morgan III carted off and taken to DFW hospital with neck issue

John Morgan III suffered a neck injury late in the fourth quarter of the Southwest Classic and was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons.

Football is a physical, violent game, and it’s never more apparent than when a player is lying on the grass or turf motionless and they bring the medical cart out for said player.

It happened in the fourth quarter of Arkansas’ 34-22 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday at AT&T Stadium to defensive end John Morgan III.

Luckily, his neck just popped out of place and they loaded him on the cart for precautionary reasons and he should be fine.

Morgan III had been having a strong year through five games, compiling four tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble.

Defensive line is luckily one position group where the Razorbacks have actually accumulated some depth. He should be able to return at some point this season, as well.

Sam Pittman remains impressed with Arkansas defensive line

Defensive line has traditionally been a weak spot at Arkansas, but Deke Adams and Sam Pittman appear to have changed that in 2023.

Defensive line has traditionally been weak area for Arkansas football during the modern era of college football (circa 2000). A lot of legendary defensive linemen have come through the program in that time, but it’s been tough for the Razorbacks to field a deep, experienced and top-tier group up front.

However, that has changed for 2023.

Arkansas’ defensive line is easily one of the most experienced and, more importantly, the deepest groups up front that in recent memory. One thing that [autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag] and [autotag]Deke Adams[/autotag] wanted to do this offseason was build quality depth up front.

[autotag]Landon Jackson[/autotag], who represented the team at SEC Media Days, and [autotag]Zach Williams[/autotag] are two of the only major contributors from last year’s D-line to return this year.

Outside of those guys, Pittman and Adams had to hit the transfer portal really hard to fill out the rest of the defensive line and were extremely successful in doing that. At the ends they brought in [autotag]John Morgan III[/autotag] (Pittsburgh) and [autotag]Trajan Jeffcoat[/autotag] (Missouri) – both seniors.

On the interior, Anthony Booker aka [autotag]Tank Booker[/autotag] (Maryland) was a major addition. He had 25 tackles, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two sacks in 2022. [autotag]Keivie Rose[/autotag] (Lousiana Tech) was a late addition but another important piece. Rose earned first team All-Conference USA in 2022.

There’s also some really talented underclassmen that haven’t played much but will play a role in the defensive line this year. Jashaud Stewart returns but only played sparingly last season. Taurean Carter missed all of 2022 with a torn ACL but is back for this year. Cameron Ball provides depth inside, Nico Davillier provides depth as an edge rusher and Eric Gregory can play at either position.

The Razorbacks are three-deep across the defensive line – on the interior and at the ends. Arkansas will also have nine scholarship seniors on the defensive line this season. The size up front is also something that sticks out, as this group just looks like an elite-level defensive front and Pittman agrees.

“We’re big. They run well and play well together,” said Pittman following the first practice of fall camp. “It starts out at the ends. We’re huge at defensive end right now and guys can run.

But I was mostly looking at some of the new guys in indy (individual group drills) and we’re big. All of those guys can move. Certainly that will help us in the run.”

Across the board, this might just be the best this position group has been at Arkansas in modern history. It has the potential to be. If the Razorbacks hope to rekindle some of the magic and success of the 2021 season, the defensive line is going to play a massive role in that.

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