Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Thursay's Arkansas football media availability ...

I. Small Undergoes Surgery
Arkansas fullback/linebacker Kiero Small will undergo surgery for a foot injury.

Coach John L. Smith confirmed the injury in a statement and said there is no timetable for Small’s return. Smith said the injury occurred in a “non-contact” portion of Wednesday’s practice.

Small is in his second season at Arkansas. He is the starting fullback and had been listed as the No. 2 middle linebacker behind Tenarius Wright.

Redshirt freshman Kody Walker is listed as the backup fullback and Arkansas also has Morgan Linton. Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Grady Ollison got snaps at the position during Saturday’s 49-24 victory against Jacksonville State.

II. Knocking Off The Rust
Linebackers Alonzo Highsmith and Tenarius Wright combined for 15 tackles in their first action together in a game. It was a sound performance for the duo, who missed extensive preseason camp time with injury, but Smith wants more.

Arkansas needs better play from Highsmith, Wright and the rest of its linebackers.

“Neither of those guys played the way that we would like or that they would like, and I expect them to be a lot better,” Smith said. “I expect us not to miss as many tackles as we did, I expect us to fit in the right fits that we didn’t do all the time, and I expect us to have better discipline as far as the option goes and taking who we’re supposed to take. 

“All of the above there ... and improve on our underneath pass coverages as well.”

 III. Slimming Down
Jason Peacock has his off-field troubles behind him. Now he needs to continue focusing on losing weight and working harder in practice, Smith said.

Peacock, who missed the season opener as continued discipline for his spring arrest, needs to drop about six additional pounds to be at prime playing weight, his coach said. Currently Peacock weighs about 316 pounds and coaches want him around 310.

They would also like to see more effort in practice.

“We try to let him know our eyes are on him every snap. You had better produce every snap,” Smith said. “He is one of the guys  we are trying to push and say, 'Compete with that guy. Make that guy better. If he doesn't get better, then you move into his spot.' But it has gotten better with him.”

Speaking Out
“We always expect a lot from Cobi, and we did last week. It was just a shame that he was not able to give it. But he came back this week and had a stellar week of practice. So we’re not expecting any more out of him than we always do every week, and that’s to go out and be the best receiver on the whole darn field, and give us a lot of big plays, and he’ll do that. It was just a shame he didn’t get to play much last week.”
—Smith on wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, who has had some of his best games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas plays at War Memorial on Saturday at 6 p.m.