Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Sunday’s Arkansas football practice…

I. Combined Effort
Arkansas’ newcomers know no matter how well they seem to have adjusted to practice, things likely become very different today. No longer will coaches hold split workouts for the newbies and redshirts, while veterans (and accelerated newcomers) work at a different time.

Both groups combine for one practice on Monday at 6. Sunday was essentially the last instruction time the newcomers will get separated from the veterans.

“We’ve had our time being by ourselves,” quarterback Brandon Allen said. “It’s time for us to get with everyone else and see what practice is really supposed to look like and compare ourselves to them.”

II. Finding A Home
Position swaps are common in early season practices. Some are done strictly to help young players learn more about the position where they belong. Others become permanent because coaches like what they see from the swap.

Grady Ollison’s move appears permanent. Sunday he donned a red offensive jersey. He’d been in white (defense) earlier in the week, even when splitting time at both positions.

Ollison signed with the Razorbacks as a defensive lineman. After a few days of pulling double duty on the offensive and defensive lines, it appears he’s moving full-time to offense.

“I’m solely on offense now,” Ollison said. “Offensive tackle.”

“I’m part of the Union,” Ollison added, referencing the nickname Arkansas offensive linemen picked for their unit.

III. Moving Up
Junior college linebacker Robert Atiga moved up to the veterans practice on Saturday. He continued there on Sunday and seems to have impressed coaches.

Atiga recorded 54 tackles, including 14 for a loss at Snow College last season. He’s a “natural,” John L. Smith said.

“He is a natural tracker of the ball. He has a linebacker instinct on how to stay behind the ball and track the ball. We like that,” Smith said. “Again he has to get in his playbook more. Just like all the young guys and keep cramming. He is a big, thick kid that should be able to help us.”

Speaking Out
"Wherever Coach wants me to go, I’ll go. I do like receiver, but if they want to me to play defense, I will play defense. Practice has gone well so far, offense and defense.”
—Freshman Davyon McKinney, who has logged time in camp at receiver and cornerback. McKinney, a Forrest City native, is 6-foot-3.