How Does the Liberty Bowl Line-Up Stack Up Against the One for the Cincinnati Opener?

Get familiar with the changes and what the implications might be

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Dec 23, 2022 10:52 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It's been a long season for the Arkansas Razorbacks filled with a lot of change between the first game against Cincinnati and next week's Liberty Bowl match-up against Kansas.

There are obviously differences in the coaching staff, but to reveal how extensive the roster change is, a comparison from Week 1 to the most recent depth chart is in order.

QUARTERBACK

CINCINNATI
No. 1: KJ Jefferson
No. 2: Malik Hornsby

KANSAS
No. 1: KJ Jefferson
No. 2: Cade Fortin

There's not a significant change here. Jefferson is back for next season and is looking to work on whatever NFL scouts tell him needs work.

As far as back-up quarterback, this is the most stable it has been all season. Hornsby floated back and forth between receiver and quarterback at various points of the year while never developing into a solid back-up the Hogs could count on when Jefferson's physical style of play or ill-advised rump over head leaps into the end zone put his body at risk.

Fortin logged playing time against LSU, Mississippi State and Alabama. He was a solid 8-of-13 for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Tigers.

Kansas defensively is none of those teams, so considering what should be extra reps in the back-up role in practice, the Razorbacks should be in good shape.

RUNNING BACK

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Raheim "Rocket" Sanders
No. 2: AJ Green

KANSAS
No. 1: Raheim "Rocket" Sanders
No. 2: AJ Green

Nothing to see here. Just two guys with All-American potential looking to destroy defenses with a third string back-up in Rashod Dubinion who is just a lethal.

If there's a rock Arkansas can lean on during this game, this is it.

OUTSIDE RECEIVER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Matt Landers
No. 2: Ketron Jackson, Jr.

KANSAS
No. 1: Matt Landers
No. 2: Sam Mbake

Landers has been Jefferson's emotional support receiver all year long. When things looked a little messy, he could find comfort in flicking the ball out to Landers for an easy first down.

As good as Jackson was starting to develop, Mbake has the potential to be at least his regular season equal by the time Christmas dinner has settled in everyone's stomachs.

Mbake's an athlete with a lot of upside, so extra attention and opportunity in his direction may be the most valuable investment of the bowl season outside of linebacker Jordan Crook.

OUTSIDE RECEIVER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Warren Thompson
No. 2: Jaedon Wilson

KANSAS
No. 1: Jaedon Wilson
No. 2: Harper Cole

Thompson had his second best season of his career with 12 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

However, he never grew into someone Jefferson could trust. Drops were a concern.

This means opportunity for freshman Jaedon Wilson.

Don't let his one catch for two yards fool you. Wilson's Desoto team, which just won the Texas 6A state championship after knocking off a long list of nationally ranked teams, is knows for its swagger and showing out when the lights come on.

If Wilson shined as an Eagle, he's got everything tangible and intangible to make this his coming out party if he can get on the same page with Jefferson.

SLOT RECEIVER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Jadon Haselwood
No. 2: Bryce Stephens

KANSAS
No. 1: Bryce Stephens
No. 2: Isaiah Sategna

Stephens is one of the most exciting punt returners in the nation. There's few on the planet who can cover 82 yards as fast as he can.

That is if you don't consider his back-up, world class sprinter Isaiah Sategna. Considering how much elite speed is at this position, Kansas will have to be on edge for deep routes misdirection running plays on motion.

TIGHT ENDS

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Trey Knox
No. 2: Nathan Bax

KANSAS
No. 1: Nathan Bax
No. 2: Hudson Henry

This is where Arkansas will miss an element of its game. Knox would drop a ball every now and then in heavy traffic, but his athleticism and huge play ability put defenses on edge.

Bax is a steady hand who leaves it all on the field and can extend a possession, but if he breaks one for a long touchdown down the sideline, Kansas will need to immediately ship its entire secondary to the transfer portal.

As for Henry, it'd be nice to see him have one game where he displays the big play ability his scouting report indicated was in him out of high school before he departs the program.

LEFT TACKLE

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Luke Jones
No. 2: Andrew Chamblee

KANSAS
No. 1: Luke Jones
No. 2: Devon Manuel

LEFT GUARD

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Brady Latham
No. 2: Jalen St. John

KANSAS
No. 1: Brady Latham
No. 2: Patrick Kutas

CENTER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Ricky Stromberg
No. 2: Patrick Kutas

KANSAS
No. 1: Beaux Limmer
No. 2: Marcus Henderson

RIGHT GUARD

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Beaux Limmer
No. 2: E'Marion Harris

KANSAS
No. 1: Ty'Kieast Crawford
No. 2: E'Marion Harris

RIGHT TACKLE

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Dalton Wagner
No. 2: Ty'Kieast Crawford

KANSAS
No. 1: Dalton Wagner
No. 2: Andrew Chamblee

The names for this offensive line are pretty much the same, they have just been scrambled around. Considering this is a group that struggled a bit down the stretch, that might not be a bad thing.

Also, a little work with the new strength and conditioning coach probably hasn't created huge gains at this point, but time to recover and rebuild had been needed to sculpt this group back into preseason form.

There are things Stromberg did at center that were truly mystifying. So much so, that people who don't have to pay close attention to offensive linemen for a living can easily recognize his greatness if they focus on him when reviewing his tape.

If Limmer can be half what Stromberg was at center, he will still be better than 80 percent of the country at that position.

LEFT DEFENSIVE END

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Jashaud Stewart
No. 2: Landon Jackson

KANSAS
No. 1: Landon Jackson
No. 2: Zach Williams

Jackson hasn't jumped off the page this season, but then again, Jackson hasn't jumped off the page this season. He's involved in a few big plays here and there, but rarely do you hear Arkansas fans jumping off their couch screaming his name in frustration.

He does the job well enough that the staff was able to move Stewart to the other side to create consistent balance.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Eric Gregory
No. 2: Terry Hampton

KANSAS
No. 1: Terry Hampton
No. 2: Eric Gregory

Hampton was a pleasant surprise coming out of Arkansas State. He's had more than a handful of big plays when Arkansas needed a boost.

As for Gregory, he's had a very Gregory season. He's good for two or three tackles every game and a sack here or there.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Isaiah Nicholls
No. 2: Cameron Ball

KANSAS
No. 1: Cameron Ball
No. 2: Marcus Miller

Ball has been good all season, but will need to seize this opportunity to be great.

As for Miller, fans are still waiting for him to find that deep fire inside former Lumberjacks are famous for having that pushes them to represent their home town with greatness. Perhaps a new voice with Williams at defensive coordinator will be what he needs to find the beast he once had inside.

RIGHT DEFENSIVE END

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Zach Williams
No. 2: Jordan Domineck

KANSAS
No. 1: Jashaud Stewart
No. 2: Jordan Domineck

Stewart better put on quite a show because Domineck is always looking to make the highlight reel. If Stewart isn't chowing down on Jayhawks early on, Domineck will drive every coach on the sidelines crazy looking for his chance at a second Christmas dinner.

MIKE LINEBACKER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Drew Sanders
No. 2: Chris Paul, Jr.

KANSAS
No. 1: Chris Paul, Jr.
No. 2: Mani Powell

It's Paul's defense now. He can lead by example, but it will be obvious early on whether he can lead in all the other ways expected as commander of the defense.

There will be a lot of pressure to replace nine tackles and a sack per game

As for Mani Powell, this will be a crash course in on the job training for the freshman from Fayetteville.

WILL LINEBACKER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Bumper Pool
No. 2: Jordan Crook

KANSAS
No. 1: Jordan Crook
No. 2: Jackson Woodard

Pool's 441 career tackles aren't going to replace themselves overnight. However, if there's a player with the raw natural ability to do so, it will be Crook.

He is unusually patient for a freshman, taking time to read, then react to all the eye candy offenses throw out. He also keeps his shoulders square and gives a solid pop on contact.

As for Woodard, he has everything you'd want in a linebacker except an opportunity. He's big, fast loves inflicting physical violence, and has great hands. This is his chance to get under the lights show how far he's come, so he will definitely be motivated.

SAFETY

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Simeon Blair
No. 2: Jayden Johnson

KANSAS
No. 1: Simeon Blair
No. 2: Jayden Johnson

Nothing changing here. Fans have seen this show. They know what to expect.

SAFETY

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Jalen Catalon
No. 2: Latavious Brini

KANSAS
No. 1: Latavious Brini / Hudson Clark
No. 2: N/A

That line-up last just over a half and suddenly it was time to move on. Perhaps the best thing to come from it is the movement of Clark to safety where he has become a team leader and a strength.

While not quite as prolific as Clark, Brini has found his role and has settled in as a strong contributor to help solidify a secondary as of late that struggled to find itself early on.

NICKEL BACK

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Myles Slusher
No. 2: Trent Gordon

KANSAS
No. 1: Jayden Johnson
No. 2: Trent Gordon

Per recent reports, neither member of the depth chart will be at the Liberty Bowl to face Kansas as Gordon is no longer eligible. No word yet on who will fill his role in an already thinly stretched secondary.

LEFT CORNERBACK

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Hudson Clark
No. 2: Dwight McGlothern

KANSAS
No. 1: Dwight McGlothern
No. 2: Malik Chavis

This could not have been a better adjustment for the Razorbacks. McGlothern has excelled at cornerback while Clark has given a huge boost in his more natural safety position.

Midway through the season, Chavis was considered the second best cornerback in the country by Pro Football Focus. Having a guy like that providing depth is a huge bonus.

RIGHT CORNERBACK

CINCINNATI
No. 1: LaDarrius Bishop
No. 2: Malik Chavis

KANSAS
No. 1: Quincy McAdoo
No. 2: Malik Chavis

McAdoo's success at cornerback wasn't a huge surprise as his wide receiver skills are a huge asset. Having him and Chavis switch out allows coaches to be comfortable if they need to provide additional coaching while he continues to adjust to the role or just simply a breather.

KICKER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Cam Little

KANSAS
No. 1: Cam Little

Short of Jefferson, there is no one else who would hurt the Razorbacks more if lost to injury than Cam Little. Generally considered one of the best kickers in college football, this game could rest on his foot.

PUNTER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Reid Bauer
No. 2: Max Fletcher

KANSAS
No. 1: Max Fletcher

With Bauer gone, the Australian will need to settle into a consistent rhythm.

LONG SNAPPER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Eli Stein
No. 2: John Oehrlein

KANSAS
No. 1: Eli Stein
No. 2: John Oehrlein

When you land the best deep snapper in the country, you get best deep snapper in the country results. For those that don't know Stein's name, be glad you don't.

HOLDER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: Reid Bauer

KANSAS
No. 1: Max Fletcher

This is the most nerve-wracking adjustment of them all. The tiniest of mistakes as a holder can throw everything off.

KICKOFF RETURNER

CINCINNATI
No. 1: AJ Green
No. 2: Rashod Dubinion

KANSAS
No. 1: AJ Green
No. 2: Rashod Dubinion / Harper Cole

Nothing new here except the addition of Harper Cole.

Most fans won't know his name as he has no stats. However, his name has popped everywhere this December, so, at least for this bowl game, fans might want to invest some time into learning about the Illinois native.