DeJon Harris – Noteworthy
University of Arkansas senior linebacker De’Jon Harris will miss the rest of spring drills after requiring surgery to repair a small fracture in his foot, Coach Chad Morris announced after Tuesday’s third spring practice. Harris, a two-year starter and one of the most experienced players on the Arkansas roster, was expected to be held out of most of the live-tackling work this spring. Morris said Harris is scheduled for surgery most likely on Friday to repair a slight fracture. “I think it’s been something that’s been nagging,” Morris said. “It was during the season and … we rehabbed it and thought we had it. It just kept bothering him, so we just had it looked at. “We don’t want this to carry on. We know what he’s capable of doing, and he’s going to be just fine.” – WholeHogSports
Joseph Foucha – Noteworthy
“My sophomore year, I must have picked up like 12 offers my first year playing DB,” Foucha said. “That was like a big accomplishment for me. I seen the light come on.” Foucha considers himself a mature person on and off the field, carrying the ability to take any and all criticism thrown his way and use it to expand and develop his game. Last week, secondary coach Ron Cooper said he would grade Arkansas’ secondary play last fall a ‘D.’ The Razorbacks finished 11th in the SEC in 2018 in passing yards allowed per game (245.2). Opposing quarterbacks collectively totaled a league-worst 152.4 passer rating as well.
“We don’t hang our head down about it, we’re just going to improve,” Foucha said. “And I felt like today we communicated a lot with each other, and that I think will kind of bring us up a grade. I feel like there’s a lot of things we need to work on. “If we work on our weaknesses instead of our strengths we’ll be good.” Foucha is a key part of what Arkansas’ staff believes to be a talented, potential-filled secondary. In previewing spring practice on Monday, Chad Morris said he expects a big spring and sound season from Foucha and all of the Razorbacks’ young defensive backs. Foucha is ready for the challenge and eager to make his mark as a sophomore. “Not too many people where I come from get to this level,” he said. “I’m like the first to go to college in my family, so I just want to show my family and those coming under me that it’s possible to do it. – Northwest Arkansas Times
Nick Starkel – Noteworthy
Coach Chad Morris also commented on signing transfer quarterback Nick Starkel, who is finishing up at Texas A&M this semester and can enroll this summer and be immediately eligible. “He’s got an extremely strong arm,” Morris said. “That’s one of the things that really stands out. A good size, but he’s got a strong arm, and obviously we know he’s played in this league. “I think everybody that has been around him just talks about the quality of a person that he is. So again, as you bring a guy into your program, you want to bring the right fit into your program. I think that brings great competition in that room. We’re trying to improve every room.” Morris said the pace of installation is intentionally slow since a strong emphasis has been placed on getting the fundamentals right. “We’ve been pretty simple with our install right now, and and that’s by design. It’s about going back to the fundamentals and getting better,” he said. – Northwest Arkansas Times