Five True Freshmen to Make Impact on 2024 Season

Razorbacks have solid crop of freshmen joining roster; five that can have an impact

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Jan 10, 2024 10:40 AM EST
Original:
Jan 10, 2024

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While Arkansas didn't necessarily make a habit of playing their freshman talent in 2020 and 2021, something changed in 2022. Sam Pittman couldn't afford to deny early playing time to tight end Luke Hasz last year.

Hasz was named a freshman All-American due to his performance through four games before being injured. Defensive back Jaylon Braxton was another who excelled in the secondary. Brad Spence even bit as a pup during his first season with the Razorbacks.

Redshirt freshmen like tight end Ty Washington, left tackle Andrew Chamblee, and offensive lineman E'Marion Harris received notable playing time or starts in their second season. The Razorbacks will likely rely on several promising freshmen in 2024, here are five to keep an eye on.

Bradley Shaw, LB

A late addition to the 2024 class, the Hoover, Alabama linebacker is one of the top players in the country for this class at No. 101, per 247sports.

With Arkansas experiencing a massive amount of turnover the position, it’s possible to see Shaw join former 5-star Georgia signed Xavian Sorey on the field as much as possible.

The Razorbacks signed two other high school seniors at linebacker in Justin Logan and Wyatt Simmons who were both offered by other prominent programs.

Selman Bridges, DB

At one point, the Temple, Texas product ranked firmly inside the top 100. After some bumps in the rankings, he fell to No. 111, respectively.

His length will cause havoc in the secondary at 6-foot-3, 170 pounds. Being able to jar smaller receivers at the line of scrimmage and having a significant wingspan makes him a candidate to be the next freshman to make a jump into the rotation.

Bridges will need to add more weight to his frame to capably play as a freshman in the SEC. He joins a secondary that improved immensely under first year defensive coordinator Travis Williams, ranking No. 32 in yards per game at 202.

Ashton Bethel-Roman, WR

Already known as one of the fastest players on the roster, the Missouri City, Texas native has a chance to be an immediate game changer for Arkansas. The 6-foot-1, 170 pound receiver averaged 21 yards per reception and 17 touchdowns during his final two seasons at Ridge Point High School. The Razorbacks were one of the least explosive offenses in the vertical passing game last season finishing with 30 pass plays of more than 20+ yards.

With new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino calling plays there's an expectation for that to improve. In his only seasons with Texas A&M, the Aggies improved from No. 11 in the SEC in explosibility during the 2022 season to No. 4 with 56 such plays. With returning track speed players such as Isaiah Sategna and Dazmin James, expect there to be more of an emphasis on speed. Bethel-Roman can provide with proven track speed himself recording a 21.51 second 200-meter dash during the spring of 2023.

Charleston Collins, DL

This list cannot be complete without Arkansas' top-rated signee of the 2024 cycle. The Pine Bluff native transferred to Little Rock Mills for his final season and was dominant with 115 stops, 31 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. As for Pittman, he likes Collins' length and physicality at 6-foot-4 , 265 pounds.

"Charlie really brings a long, athletic guy who loves to play the game," Pittman said on National Signing Day.

During his high school career in the Natural State, he was proven as a disruptive force along the defensive line with 77 tackles for loss. The Razorbacks also add Kavion Henderson, one of the top players in Alabama, for the 2024 signing class. Those two together have a chance to be special, bookend pieces for the future of Arkansas' defense.

Braylen Russell, RB

The star tailback from Benton possesses the type of build Sam Pittman loves at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds. Russell finished his prep career with 4,005 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. He also could get things done through air with 957 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving.

With the emergence of true freshman Isaiah Augustave, returning Rashod Dubinion and Utah transfer tailback Ja'Quinden Jackson it seems Arkansas may be somewhat crowded. With Russell's physical traits, he stands a chance of receiving reps pretty early in his college career.