1. Bielema ... CBB could very well deliver Arkansas to its first SEC championship. Offensively, the weapons are in place, the O-line is talented and experienced, and the QB is a 5th-year senior who has gotten better every year in the program. Defensively, when was the last time you felt this good about that side of the ball in July? CBB's button-pushing as a CEO-type reminds me somewhat of JFB, and his choices of Robb Smith and Dan Enos as COORDINATOR UPGRADES in only 3 years proves he is loyal to winning and chasing championships. I truly believe this coach could be the best we've had since JFB, and I believe he has an excellent chance at fielding a 10-win (or better) team in 2015.
2. Allen ... when I watched Brandon Allen captain the Fayetteville Purple Dogs, I saw a player who was every bit as good as some 5-star QBs who had come through the state in the previous decade or so. I saw a QB who was rated as a 3-star prospect finally earn his 4th star. Since then, I've seen a 3-star college QB, at best. Injuries, inconsistency, decision-making -- all of it has pointed to a QB that looked to be a game-manager at best. Finally, if he stays healthy, I believe BA has grown into the kind of player who could win a game for us -- we have not seen that yet, but I believe we will. If Arkansas is to win 10 games and challenge for the SEC West title, and with back-to-back SEC road games, TWICE, in 2015, you can bet No. 10 is going to have to make some plays late in games to get us over the top ... I think we finally see it, and I think BA might just go out better than Mallett or Wilson did ... not saying he'll be as good a pro prospect as those two, and I don't think he'll put up the kind of numbers they did in CBP's offense, but he might just ride off with a more meaningful finish to his Razorback career than they did.
3. Monk ... from Marcus to Malik, will the torch be passed from one Razorback great to, hopefully, another? We can debate all we want the importance of getting a 1-and-done, and we can debate where MM fits into the all-time HS basketball greats in the state of Arkansas, but to land an elite, Top-5-national talent like MM would do wonders for a program striving to build on recent SEC and national success. MM, if he were to be a 1-and-done, could surely lead the way to Fayetteville for other top-notch in-state kids, and there are certainly a lot to choose from in 2016, 17, and 18. The state seems loaded looking ahead at the next 3 classes, so MM could open the flood gates for the Razorbacks. He also is the kind of talent that, if surrounded by a few good men, could help the Hogs to their 7th Final Four in school in history. Assuming he waits till the spring signing period to announce his post-HS future, as promised, MM's senior season at Bentonville will be one filled with plenty of speculation and excitement.
4. Williams ... if JWill stays healthy, he'll not only repeat as an All-SEC RB, but I believe there is potential for national awards and a top-3-round draft slot in the 2016 NFL Draft. He's the total package in a RB, IMO, even though his measurables and physical talent may not be elite. He's gotten better every season, and as good as he was last year, I believe he'll be even better in 2015. Sharing the rock with AC, stats won't matter as much as efficiency and play-making, and I see J-Will being a leader and great player to continue the proud tradition at Running Back U.
5. Collins (times two) ... Alex is not the complete RB that J-Will is, but he has great vision, timing, balance and quickness in his plant-and-cut running style, so if he can improve his finishing speed, leg-drive through contact, and protecting the football, he's got a chance to be a top-3-to-4-round pick in 2016, too. The last time Arkansas had two RBs like this, the talent was too good to explain an 8-5 season. This time around, the JWill-AC 1-2 punch will be the keys if Arkansas is able to unlock 10 wins or more.
There are only a few names in the Arkansas secondary that really stand out going back to 1991 when the Hogs joined the SEC, and Jared Collins is going to join that small group. David Barrett, Kenoy Kennedy, Ken Hamlin, Tony Bua, Ahmad Batman Carroll, and Chris Houston come to mind as arguably the 6 best we've put on the field in the back 4 in almost 25 years, and I see Collins with the potential to be mentioned with those guys. He's a pro prospect for sure, and he could be ALL SEC in 2016.
6. Anderson ... just when MA was turning the corner with the basketball program, the wheels appear to be coming off. But as his mentor said, "All sickness is not death." I believe MA gets it fixed, even if the 2015-16 Hogs struggle on the court. The Head Hog will get Jimmy Whitt and Moses Kingsley to play at high levels, he'll get the most out of Manny Watkins and Dusty Hannahs as role players building toward their senior seasons, and I look for Anton Beard to find his way back on the team and become a leader ... that's 5 guys to go along with juco AA Daryl Macon that will provide the veteran leadership for as many 7 newcomers in 2016-17, and I because I think MA will load up on his best haul of talent for that season, Arkansas will be right back near the top of the SEC and achieving national relevance, again, year after next.
7. Ellis ... if there is to be a leader on defense, I think it will be Brooks stepping up like Martrell Spaight did last season. I'm not saying BE will be as good as MS, but I think he'll have an excellent season. Robb Smith is always going to push the right buttons to develop a leader in the middle of the defense, and this season Ellis is that guy. Will he be All SEC good? I don't think he will, but I don't think he has to be.
8. Kirkland ... we know CBB has put a lot of players in the NFL, and two names that come to mind quickly are JJ Watt and Russell Wilson ... but, CBB has gotten a lot of O-linemen into the league, and junior Denver Kirkland appears to be next in line. He is going to be the talent, experience, and heart leader of the O-line this year ... and it will likely help launch him to an early-round projection in the 2016 draft. Does the O-line finally live up to the hype and expectations in 2015? If it does, and I think it will, it starts with Denver Kirkland. Look for him to be All SEC and possibly AA.
9. McFadden ... this is the season where DMAC either turns his career around -- whether that means starter or backup with an important role on a team attempting to take the next step to win a Super Bowl -- or fades away and stamps his pro career as a bust. No doubt playing 7 seasons in Oakland placed many hurdles in DMAC's way, but now, if he's got anything left in the tank, this is the situation to turn it all around. Other former Hogs in pro sports will garner attention -- Ryan Mallett trying to win the starting QB job of the Texans; Bobby Portis trying to flash as a rookie to help Chicago get back to the Eastern Conference finals; and other story lines -- but none will be under the spotlight like DMAC ... it's the Cowboys, who already garner more attention than whoever the defending Super Bowl champs are in any given season, but on top of that, the 'Boys said goodbye to the NFL's leading rusher from a year ago ... so all eyes are on Dallas's RB position, and DMAC enters 2015 with the biggest name among the 'Boys' backs. Is this the final chapter, or the beginning of a nice run to end his career in Dallas on a positive note? We're about to find out.
10. Kingsley ... Moses is the next potential pro player in MA's tenure, and I see MK taking a big step in 2015-16. His per-40-minutes production has been good, and I think we're about to see him play 25-30 minutes a game, averaging between 10-11 points, 7-8 rebounds, and 2-3 blocks per game. Arkansas is going to struggle in 2015-16, and no doubt incoming freshman guard Jimmy Whitt is going to turn the heads of a lot of Razorback fans as one of a few positives for the future of the program, but I see MK coming into his own now that he is out of the shadow of Bobby Portis, and I believe he is going to be a leader and set himself up for a nice senior season in 2016-17.
2. Allen ... when I watched Brandon Allen captain the Fayetteville Purple Dogs, I saw a player who was every bit as good as some 5-star QBs who had come through the state in the previous decade or so. I saw a QB who was rated as a 3-star prospect finally earn his 4th star. Since then, I've seen a 3-star college QB, at best. Injuries, inconsistency, decision-making -- all of it has pointed to a QB that looked to be a game-manager at best. Finally, if he stays healthy, I believe BA has grown into the kind of player who could win a game for us -- we have not seen that yet, but I believe we will. If Arkansas is to win 10 games and challenge for the SEC West title, and with back-to-back SEC road games, TWICE, in 2015, you can bet No. 10 is going to have to make some plays late in games to get us over the top ... I think we finally see it, and I think BA might just go out better than Mallett or Wilson did ... not saying he'll be as good a pro prospect as those two, and I don't think he'll put up the kind of numbers they did in CBP's offense, but he might just ride off with a more meaningful finish to his Razorback career than they did.
3. Monk ... from Marcus to Malik, will the torch be passed from one Razorback great to, hopefully, another? We can debate all we want the importance of getting a 1-and-done, and we can debate where MM fits into the all-time HS basketball greats in the state of Arkansas, but to land an elite, Top-5-national talent like MM would do wonders for a program striving to build on recent SEC and national success. MM, if he were to be a 1-and-done, could surely lead the way to Fayetteville for other top-notch in-state kids, and there are certainly a lot to choose from in 2016, 17, and 18. The state seems loaded looking ahead at the next 3 classes, so MM could open the flood gates for the Razorbacks. He also is the kind of talent that, if surrounded by a few good men, could help the Hogs to their 7th Final Four in school in history. Assuming he waits till the spring signing period to announce his post-HS future, as promised, MM's senior season at Bentonville will be one filled with plenty of speculation and excitement.
4. Williams ... if JWill stays healthy, he'll not only repeat as an All-SEC RB, but I believe there is potential for national awards and a top-3-round draft slot in the 2016 NFL Draft. He's the total package in a RB, IMO, even though his measurables and physical talent may not be elite. He's gotten better every season, and as good as he was last year, I believe he'll be even better in 2015. Sharing the rock with AC, stats won't matter as much as efficiency and play-making, and I see J-Will being a leader and great player to continue the proud tradition at Running Back U.
5. Collins (times two) ... Alex is not the complete RB that J-Will is, but he has great vision, timing, balance and quickness in his plant-and-cut running style, so if he can improve his finishing speed, leg-drive through contact, and protecting the football, he's got a chance to be a top-3-to-4-round pick in 2016, too. The last time Arkansas had two RBs like this, the talent was too good to explain an 8-5 season. This time around, the JWill-AC 1-2 punch will be the keys if Arkansas is able to unlock 10 wins or more.
There are only a few names in the Arkansas secondary that really stand out going back to 1991 when the Hogs joined the SEC, and Jared Collins is going to join that small group. David Barrett, Kenoy Kennedy, Ken Hamlin, Tony Bua, Ahmad Batman Carroll, and Chris Houston come to mind as arguably the 6 best we've put on the field in the back 4 in almost 25 years, and I see Collins with the potential to be mentioned with those guys. He's a pro prospect for sure, and he could be ALL SEC in 2016.
6. Anderson ... just when MA was turning the corner with the basketball program, the wheels appear to be coming off. But as his mentor said, "All sickness is not death." I believe MA gets it fixed, even if the 2015-16 Hogs struggle on the court. The Head Hog will get Jimmy Whitt and Moses Kingsley to play at high levels, he'll get the most out of Manny Watkins and Dusty Hannahs as role players building toward their senior seasons, and I look for Anton Beard to find his way back on the team and become a leader ... that's 5 guys to go along with juco AA Daryl Macon that will provide the veteran leadership for as many 7 newcomers in 2016-17, and I because I think MA will load up on his best haul of talent for that season, Arkansas will be right back near the top of the SEC and achieving national relevance, again, year after next.
7. Ellis ... if there is to be a leader on defense, I think it will be Brooks stepping up like Martrell Spaight did last season. I'm not saying BE will be as good as MS, but I think he'll have an excellent season. Robb Smith is always going to push the right buttons to develop a leader in the middle of the defense, and this season Ellis is that guy. Will he be All SEC good? I don't think he will, but I don't think he has to be.
8. Kirkland ... we know CBB has put a lot of players in the NFL, and two names that come to mind quickly are JJ Watt and Russell Wilson ... but, CBB has gotten a lot of O-linemen into the league, and junior Denver Kirkland appears to be next in line. He is going to be the talent, experience, and heart leader of the O-line this year ... and it will likely help launch him to an early-round projection in the 2016 draft. Does the O-line finally live up to the hype and expectations in 2015? If it does, and I think it will, it starts with Denver Kirkland. Look for him to be All SEC and possibly AA.
9. McFadden ... this is the season where DMAC either turns his career around -- whether that means starter or backup with an important role on a team attempting to take the next step to win a Super Bowl -- or fades away and stamps his pro career as a bust. No doubt playing 7 seasons in Oakland placed many hurdles in DMAC's way, but now, if he's got anything left in the tank, this is the situation to turn it all around. Other former Hogs in pro sports will garner attention -- Ryan Mallett trying to win the starting QB job of the Texans; Bobby Portis trying to flash as a rookie to help Chicago get back to the Eastern Conference finals; and other story lines -- but none will be under the spotlight like DMAC ... it's the Cowboys, who already garner more attention than whoever the defending Super Bowl champs are in any given season, but on top of that, the 'Boys said goodbye to the NFL's leading rusher from a year ago ... so all eyes are on Dallas's RB position, and DMAC enters 2015 with the biggest name among the 'Boys' backs. Is this the final chapter, or the beginning of a nice run to end his career in Dallas on a positive note? We're about to find out.
10. Kingsley ... Moses is the next potential pro player in MA's tenure, and I see MK taking a big step in 2015-16. His per-40-minutes production has been good, and I think we're about to see him play 25-30 minutes a game, averaging between 10-11 points, 7-8 rebounds, and 2-3 blocks per game. Arkansas is going to struggle in 2015-16, and no doubt incoming freshman guard Jimmy Whitt is going to turn the heads of a lot of Razorback fans as one of a few positives for the future of the program, but I see MK coming into his own now that he is out of the shadow of Bobby Portis, and I believe he is going to be a leader and set himself up for a nice senior season in 2016-17.
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