NFL
By: Randall Slifer
The Arkansas Razorbacks are coming off a positive year by showing progress and playing sound football. The Razorbacks returned to the Liberty Bowl in 2024 after competing in the same bowl game in 2022. Arkansas beat Texas Tech, and they have had a more complete team than we have in the last five years. The Razorbacks lost some solid pieces to the 2025 NFL draft, but their recruiting classes have improved. The significant loss as a positional room would be the wide receiver room. Andrew Armstrong, Isaac TeSlaa, and Tyrone Broden are all done with collegiate play, and each wide receiver was crucial in their 2024 offense. Arkansas lost players due to the transfer portal, but the team is coming together and preparing for the new season. I will highlight impactful players in depth throughout the summer to prepare everyone for the 2025 season. Here, I will break down what I believe will be the offensive depth chart to start the season, and who will potentially get the most amount of touches and snaps this year:
Offensive Line
Left Tackle – Corey Robinson II — Left Guard – Fernando Carmona — Center – Caden Kinter — Right Guard – E’Marion Harris — Right Tackle – Shaq McRoy
Backups:
Tackles – Kavion Broussard, Marcus Dumervil
Interior Offensive Line: Keyshawn Blackstock, Brooks Edmonson, Kobe Branham
Arkansas’ offensive line may be the deepest in the past five years. We added some strong pieces, including a four-star offensive lineman, Shaq McRoy. The red-shirt freshman transfer from Oregon is 6’8 and 350 pounds, and should start as Arkansas’ right tackle. Shaq McRoy is a four-star prospect who was a consensus top-15 offensive lineman in the 2024 class. The right side of the offensive line is more difficult to predict with new pieces and talent acquired, but E’Marion Harris showed out during Arkansas’ spring practices. At 6’7 and 300 pounds, E’Marion was the number three player out of Arkansas in the 2024 recruiting class. Caden Kitler is a plug-and-play center from UCF who started with the football program. The left side of the offensive line gets interesting as Arkansas moves 3 year starting left tackle, Fernando Carmona, to left guard. He will work with the newly acquired left tackle, Corey Robinson II. Corey Robinson transferred from Georgia Tech and contributed as a left tackle for all three years. He started most games and only gave up 11 pressures in the last two years. Fernando Carmona has expressed his interest and excitement in moving to guard, which will give him great flexibility when he enters the NFL draft next year. The backup offensive linemen are quality players with experience and can step in if an injury occurs. Kobe Branham and Keyshawn Blackstock played almost every position on the line, and their versatility will be vital throughout the season.
Quarterback
Starter: Taylen Green – Backups: KJ Jackson, Grayson Wilson
Taylen Green is entering his final year at Arkansas, and the whole Northwest Arkansas area is excited for his 2025 season. Standing at 6’6 and 225 pounds, Taylen Green is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who vastly improved throughout the previous season. He has an opportunity to get himself into the Heisman Trophy running if he can put it all together. Taylen Green deserves an entire article, as I will break him down soon. KJ Jackson should be the backup quarterback, and Grayson Wilson should be the 3rd quarterback, being a true freshman.
Running back
Starter: Braylen Russell, Mike Washington Jr – Backups: Rodney Hill, Cam Settles
The Razorback running back room will be a running back by committee room after losing Ja’Quinden Jackson to the draft. Arkansas typically uses a committee for running backs, but I expect this year to be more of a split-shared room than a heavier focus on one running back. Braylen Russell had some good action last year in the running back room, and I think he will become the lead back. Mike Washington Jr is a big, 6’2 215-pound running back who will fight to win the pure starting job, but his hands may be a concern with fumbles and drops. This will be a great competition throughout the season that could switch up from time to time. Rodney Hill is a speedy back who will be a change-of-pace running back at 5’10 190 pounds. Cam Settles is a true freshman who is a coveted Arkansas running back that may get some snaps, but he should be able to take a starting role next year.
Tight End
Starter: Rohan Jones — Backups: Andreas Paaske, Jaden Platt, Maddox Lassiter, Gavin Garretson, Jeremy Beck Jr
The tight end room is a high upside room with starters from the transfer portal. Rohan Jones is a dynamic pass-catching tight end who scored nine touchdowns in 2024. He is thinner at 236 pounds, so his blocking may be questionable moving to the SEC, but his pass catching will be greatly appreciated. Andreas Paaske is a 6’6 265-pound tight end who is a great blocker who could unlock his pass-catching here in Arkansas. Andreas’ blocking is sound and has good technique that should not be stunted by bigger competition. While Rohan Jones will be Arkansas’ primary pass-catching tight end, Andreas will be their primary blocking tight end. Jaden Platt is a 6’5 260-pound tight end who played quarterback in high school. Jaden transferred over from Texas A&M, and he is an athletic freak. If he can get time on the field, expect big things from Jaden Platt.
Wide Receivers
Starters: O’Mega Blake, Raylen Sharpe, Ismael Cisse, Courtney Crutchfield
Backups: Ja’Kayden Ferguson, Jordan Anthony, Kam Shanks, CJ Brown
Arkansas’ wide receiver room is a question mark heading into this season, with many new faces. Arkansas acquired Kam Shanks, O’Mega Blake, Ismael Cisse, and Raylen Sharpe from the transfer portal. Ismael Cisse is a player who should receive a good target share with Taylen Green. His route running is above average, and he can separate well against tough competition. O’Mega Blake started in South Carolina before transferring to Charlotte. He put up big numbers in Charlotte and received an offer from Arkansas. All the transfers should see significant snaps with a wide-open room, but I hope to see Courtney Crutchfield make an impact this year. Courtney Crutchfield is a four-star recruit from Arkansas who was an overall top 5 prospect out of Arkansas. Courtney was a top 50 prospect nationally and can have a positive aspect, being a homegrown athlete. The wide receiver room will be an open competition in which Taylen Green finds the best connection throughout the season.
Arkansas’ season depends on Taylen Green and his leap into year two at Arkansas, but some good offensive players will help him along the journey. The offensive line will significantly improve, which will have a ripple effect on the whole offense. I will highlight certain offensive players in articles until I break down the Arkansas defense.
Who are some players you are excited for this season, and how do you think Arkansas will do in the 2025 season? Reach out to me on Twitter/Bluesky @RandallSlifer or comment below! Go ‘Backs!
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