Former Quarterback Likes Hogs' New WR Group

What Washington forces defenses to do what Razorbacks need to develop

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Jan 5, 2024 12:10 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones sees something positive already in this new group of wide receivers. If he's seen something nobody else has or it's hope combined with what Bobby Petrino isn't known.

"I like this group of guys," Jones said on Halftime on ESPN Arkansas alongside Phil Elson. "They're going to be better, no question. There will be an uptick in the passing game this next year. Just like I think this offensive line is going to be better."

Part of is the experience, the electrifying former quarterback for the Razorbacks said. That part is always true for any college player. I honestly don't know how that happens in this day and age of unrestricted player free agency, but that's a topic for a different day.

"Another college off-season, another spring practice, more reps," Jones said. "I do like this speed guy from Texas A&M (Jordan Anthony we found out this week). You really do want to get somebody that can be on the front side or back side. When you get 'em matched up one-on-one, you want to be able to go to them."

What Washington does to people is kind of the goal. They burned Texas in the Sugar Bowl on Monday night over and over. Maybe the biggest part of that was Michael Penix dropping passes on a dime to receivers who looked covered at times against the Longhorns. They are playing in the National Championship Game on Monday night.

"They get those guys matched up, they're going to them," Jones said. "You've got to have at least one that [the defense] is rolling coverage to. You can't roll coverage to either side against them. If you choose one side and leave the other, that's where we're going. They will eat you up. You have to have one to make the defense aware of them."

The Razorbacks didn't have that last year. They had a bunch of guys who should have been No. 3 and, at times, a No. 2 receiver. Nobody ever emerged as the go-to receiver and they've really been without that since Treylon Burks was drafted by the Tennessee Titans after the 2021 season.

"This last year, [Andrew] Armstrong did well but there really wasn't that guy you went, 'we have to roll coverage to him. We can't let him just manned up or he's going to kill us.'"

Petrino, who took over as offensive coordinator in December, has a history with the Hogs of being able to do just that. The only problem is nobody on the roster right now evokes being able to duplicate what Petrino had for four years with guys like Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Joe Adams. They better find somebody fast, though.