Scouting the SEC: Arkansas
The offensive line is stacked
with talent as all five starters have the NFL potential.
Senior Zac Tubbs is a strong run blocker who turns defenders off
the play. Tubbs offers terrific
size and could fall into the late rounds next April.
Center Kyle Roper is a solid position blocker and an outstanding
shotgun snapper. Quickly getting
into blocks, Roper effectively uses angles and turns defenders off the line.
Fighting hard, he rarely finishes blocks and does not show good blocking
range. Roper could backup at the
next level. Guard Stephen Parker
in the strongest on the unit and a junior with terrific upside potential.
Explosive off the snap, Parker quickly gets to the second level and
removes linebackers from the action or opens holes for ball carriers.
Parker offers growth potential and must be kept on the radar screen.
Left tackle Tony Ugoh is a strong lineman who quickly sets in pass
protection, displaying adequate footwork sliding off the edge.
Ugoh is not a natural knee bender, which hurts his balance and ability to
finish blocks. Lacking a nasty
streak, he does not show great wherewithal on the field.
A discus thrower on the school's track and field team, Ugoh offers
terrific upside for the next level yet must make football a priority to reach
the expectations NFL scouts have of him. Arkansas
has consistently put solid tight ends into the NFL draft and presently has two
on the roster. Senior Jared Hicks is an effective pass catcher who makes the difficult reception in mid
air. Working hard as a blocker and
playing with solid technique, he does not show great explosion or speed.
Needing to take his game to another level, Hicks offers the size to play
in the NFL but needs a big senior season to slide into the late rounds.
Sophomore Mason Templeton attacks assignments and displays
strength at the point of attack. Possessing
outstanding size, he runs well for a big man and is an exciting sophomore
prospect. De'Arrius Howard
could be a sleeper at running back if he produces this season.
Possessing excellent size, he is solid on the inside yet needs to prove
he can handle the load and be the man on offense. Fullback Brandon Kennedy is a well-built lead fullback who effectively opens lanes for his
ball carriers. Good pre-draft workouts could land him a spot in the late
frames.
Defensively
the team does not have much to offer. Pierre Brown, Sam Olajubutu and Clarke Moore are a trio of
linebackers who will get consideration as potential late round prospects or free
agents next year. Vickiel Vaughn is
a nice sized safety who flashes skills and must be watched.
Arkansas
Prospect List
| Name |
Number |
Pos |
Year |
| Pierre
Brown |
27 |
OLB |
5Sr |
| Robert Felton |
61 |
G |
3So |
| Jared
Hicks |
86 |
TE |
5Sr |
| De'Arrius
Howard |
26 |
RB |
5Sr |
| Brandon
Kennedy |
47 |
FB |
4Sr |
| Clarke
Moore |
46 |
ILB |
5Sr |
| Sam
Olajubutu |
24 |
S |
4Sr |
| Stephen
Parker |
74 |
G |
4Jr |
| Kyle
Roper |
70 |
C |
5Sr |
| Mason
Templeton |
89 |
TE |
3So |
| Zac
Tubbs |
69 |
T |
4Sr |
| Tony
Ugoh |
66 |
T |
4Sr |
| Vickiel
Vaughn |
31 |
S |
4Sr |