As some of you may know, I had to take a temporary step back from the board several months ago. When all this rona business started up, my time commitments to my family and career became much more demanding. However, as things begin to clear up, I hope to be able to spend more time in stimulating discussions, best poster brackets, and opponent lookalike contests with all of you (even @Lefty8).

I think it's a good time for us all to consider what a difficult time for us all, both on the board and off. I think we all need to reflect on what has made this community great in the past. We share a common interest - our love for all things Razorback - but also a common goal of having a good time on the board. It's never been that we all think alike. In fact, one of the best parts of this board compared to others is that the posters are so varied in personality and style. I appreciate and celebrate our differences and genuinely enjoy my exchanges with each member of this board, regardless if we agree on every topic or not. With that in mind, please join me in getting this board back to the rowdy bunch of misfits we were before the biggest hoax since @futurehawgdad9 throwing a football 50 yards from his knees ruined our flow (just kidding).

Included a few of the latest projections/rankings... https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/pair-of-hogs-invited-to-2020-nba-draft-combine

So, since it looks like we will have an all SEC 10 game schedule we know that we will play 6 teams in the west and already scheduled to play Tennessee and Mizzou from the East. What other 2 teams from the east do you want to play this year?

I want to go as easy as possible with Vandy and SC or just have the most epic schedule ever and add Florida and Georgia. Who you got?

Test

A.J. was cool enough to talk to me about his decision to sign as an UDFA instead of play a year at Arkansas... https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/a-j-lewis-discusses-decision-to-go-pro-over-playing-at-arkansas

My youngest has made a grandpa today. A sweet little girl who will grow to be anything she wants. No name yet!

Specifically, what it means for the Notre Dame game... https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/how-acc-sec-decisions-could-impact-arkansas-2020-football-schedule

There is a free 9-part docuseries on cancer, cancer treatments, and cancer survivors that will start August 4. It is totally free to watch. You simply have to sign-up for it at "theanswertocancer.com". Please go to the website and watch and listen to the introductory information. Forward the information to others you think would benefit from its content. God bless.

You must look at the number they don’t talk about. We see, like today, 699 new cases! We see that and we think, “lord, we are going to all have it soon!” What you don’t see us the recovery numbers. 699 new cases added to the active cases, 6 cases come off due to death, 585 cases taken off due to recovery, total added cases to active case total 108. That’s the number we need to pay attention to that’s not being spoken about. We are not being fed all the numbers.

Gonna put these out there, my opinion of how each division ends up in this shortened season. Looking forward to some baseball talk. Behave yourselves Card fans, although i know you cant help it. Oh, and Go Cubs Go!

AL East

Yankees
Rays
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Orioles

AL Central

Twins
White Sox
Indians
Royals
Tigers

AL West

Astros
A's
Rangers
Angels
Mariners





NL East

Mets
Braves
Phillies
Nationals
Marlins



NL Central

Brewers
Reds
Cardinals
Cubs
Pirates



NL West

Dodgers
Diamondbacks
Padres
Rockies
Giants


White Sox defeat A's in 1 game playoff
Astros defeat White Sox
Twins defeat Yankees
Twins defeat Astros

Diamondbacks defeat Braves in 1 game playoff
Dodgers defeat Diamondbacks
Mets defeat Brewers
Dodgers defeat Mets

Dodgers defeat Twins for the World Series Championship

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I caught up with Fort Pierce, Florida cornerback James Monds who the Razorbacks offered in June. Fort Pierce is about 2 hours north up the coast from Miami. His recruitment kicked off in February with an offer from Western Kentucky and he's earned 20 more since, including Miami, Tennessee and Mississippi State.

He said he talks a lot with Scott Fountain whom he really likes. He said Fountain thinks he'll be a great fit in the defense that uses a lot of DBs and he said he thinks the program is in good hands now with the players Arkansas is bring in and the new staff.

Arkansas will be one of the schools at the top of his list to visit once they're allowed again, as well as Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Mississippi State.

I asked him if Florida was showing interest but despite several visits, he said, "maybe I'm just not what they're looking for."

He's run a 4.5 40 and looks like an early favorite for the staff.

He said he's been chatting with Lucas Coley about what Arkansas is like and he's been active on social media about the Razorbacks but it's still early.

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Sam Vecenie just published his updated big board on The Athletic. Here's the link.

Because it's on The Athletic and behind a paywall, I don't want to give too much away. I strongly recommend everyone who has a subscription to go read it, but here are a few of the major takeaways worth bringing here...

~On his list of the top 100 prospects, Isaiah Joe checks in at No. 68, followed by Mason Jones at No. 74.

~The biggest thing I learned is that the Aug. 3 deadline isn't necessarily that drop-dead decision date for guys like Isaiah Joe. The NBA deadline is Aug. 17, two weeks later. Vecenie confirmed with the NBA that players could technically pull out of the draft before Aug. 3 - therefore preserving their NCAA eligibility - and then re-enter the draft ahead of Aug. 17, essentially buying themselves an extra two weeks to make a final decision. What I'm curious about is whether or not a player could pull out of the draft and still participate in an NBA Draft Combine (if one happens before Aug. 17 or even happens at all), all while maintaining their eligibility.

~Also, there are concerns over what the college basketball season will look like and whether or not there will even be a G League season. Both of those would obviously factor into a decision. Vecenie does a really good job of laying out exactly how those two seasons could be affected. I'll let y'all read that for yourselves, but his final takeaway is critical, IMO...

"Because there is so much uncertainty around college and the G League, many agents have simply been giving their players a simple rule of thumb. If they think there is a good chance or a guarantee that the player will get a guaranteed minimum NBA contract for at least the first year, then it’s reasonable to leave. If not, the player is opening themselves up to such an uncertain professional world that it doesn’t make sense to go. Even though there is uncertainty regarding college hoops, the scholarships, training, housing and all of the amenities provided by large colleges are a better outcome than the worst-case scenario of the professional environment."

...to Kent State.
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I live in Cabot, in a residential neighborhood, and was returning from Walmart last night when a Wildcat, or Cougar, ran across the street right in front of my car. Couldn't believe what I saw, and couldn't believe how damn big that thing was. Notified my neighbors, as they, and us, have dogs and didn't want any of them getting attacked. Also notified Cabot police department, who said they would check it out. We have a herd of deer that have lived in, and roamed around this area for years. I figure they might become a smorgasbord for this cat if he's not either caught, or leaves the area. Anyone else seen one of these cats in their area?

Anybody use this service? If so, thoughts?

We started a preview series before spring ball, but it was halted by the pandemic. There's a chance we have to hit pause again if the season gets pushed back, but we're starting it anyways... https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/2020-arkansas-camp-preview-quarterback

I don't think Nikki ever posted this on the board yesterday... https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/razorback-roster-rundown-no-81-darin-turner

We're getting pretty close to finishing up our Roster Rundown series.

https://arkansas.rivals.com/news/in-state-targets-for-arkansas-s-2022-class

Got recaps on each of Arkansas's 9 in-state offers so far. They're one away from the 10 Arkansas offered in 2015.

James Jointer tells me he's now up to 205 pounds (sent me a pic for proof even) and E'Marion Harris is apparently now up to 338. Harris is also gaining offers that he's not reporting because he's not big on attention but Arizona State I'm told is part of that unannounced group. Pittman and Davis have talked to him about every week.

I have futurecast picks in for Harris, Chamblee, Jointer, Sategna and Turner at the moment. Not sure enough about where the process will lead for McAdoo, Courtney and Davillier just yet.

Walkthroughs until August 7 when the real action begins.

In case you missed any of these in Hutch's series:
HawgBeat's 10 Preseason Burning Questions
1. Has Feleipe Franks developed chemistry with the wide receivers/tight ends?
2. What will Arkansas use as its base defense?
3. Which second-team wide receiver will step up?
4. How will the secondary shape up?
5. How will the offensive line shape up?
6. Where do the graduate transfers fit on the depth chart?
7. What will Arkansas' depth look like at tight end?
8. Will any of Arkansas’ true freshman contributors from last season experience a sophomore slump?
9. Who will be Arkansas' starting punter?
10. Which redshirt freshmen will emerge as contributors in 2020?