It’s not often when you raise the ire of college football analyst Phil Steele, but apparently the format of the Spring Game at Ole Miss touched a nerve.
I was reminded of the Blake Anderson era in Jonesboro, when he attempted to create a carnival atmosphere for Red Wolves Spring Games. However, even though he incorporated bizarre scoring systems and once had former basketball head coach Mike Balado attempting to catch punts, Anderson never strayed too far from what the people want – football.
Fans come to Spring Games to, at most, see evidence of progress and at the very least, feel the vibrations of anything the approximates college football. After all, we miss it dearly. To hear the violent smack of the pads and witness the majestic arc of a perfectly tossed deep ball holds more value than watching Joey Chestnut pound a few hotdogs.
Red Wolves fans likely have a list of concrete things they’d like to see on Saturday (other than Howl on a Harley). What follows is a brief list of things I’d like to see.
Malik Hornsby at Wide Receiver
Hornsby was a 4-star rated QB when he signed with Arkansas. After a brief stint at Texas State (83 passing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns), he looks to reimagine himself at Arkansas State, reportedly at wide receiver. Recent news out of camp has seen him play wildcat QB, too. So how will Hornsby be used – as a raw wide receiver or as a change-of-pace, situational QB?
The Best RB Rotation in the Sun Belt?
Last season, Red Wolves fans were treated to an aspect of the game we haven’t seen in Jonesboro for too long – production at running back. The combination of Ja’Quez Cross and Zak Wallace produced nearly 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cross and Wallace are back, and with emerging talent Cedrick Hawkins in position to receive more touches, fans will want to see this troika in action.
Josh Flowers in Bloom
Not counting Hornsby (officially a wide receiver), the Red Wolves have three quarterbacks listed on the roster – incoming starter Jalen Raynor, fan fave Will Pritchard, and highly touted recruit Josh Flowers, graded a 4-star QB by ESPN. At 6’3″, 210 pounds, Flowers bears that physical presence head coach Butch Jones seems to covet in a signal caller, and it will be fascinating to see him take snaps opposite Raynor on Saturday.
Who’s Stepping In (and Up) at Linebacker
Last year, the A-State linebacker squad was of a quality unseen in Jonesboro since Demario Davis was administering the punishment. However, promising freshman Javante Mackey transferred to Memphis, and starter Melique Straker was unexpectedly denied another year of eligibility. Who steps up? Yes, Cam Jefferies and Charles Willekes are back, and so are Dane Motley and Sam Graham. Is this the year we see more of Cruz Temple? Does Jordon Sample level up?
Who Fills In For Jacob Bayer?
Bayer transferred from Lamar to Arkansas State last season, and immediately delivered an all-conference season at center. Brutally, Bayer tore his ACL during practicing, leaving a hole literally in the middle of the offensive line. Walker Davis may be a candidate to take over, but fans will receive more clues on Saturday. In the meantime, Bayer has had surgery and is expected to return at some point during the season.
A Soft Pretzel That Isn’t Harder Than a Diamond?
One can dream, can’t they?
PHOTO BELONGS TO ME, JEREMY HARPER, KING OF PHOTOS
Howlraiser 