Arkansas players have ‘general idea’ of starters, but there is ‘no true depth chart’

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I think what ultimately we decided was, they both looked good on base downs. It came down to the actual situational football. “I believe a quarterback, in order to have success, has to be really efficient in those (situations). We thought KJ had the slight edge in that and I think, ultimately, that is going to give us the best opportunity to have success going forward.” ALSO READ: Silverfield details Arkansas starting quarterback decision In the big picture the depth chart is unofficially set, but Silverfield does not want his team to lose focus and get complacent. “I think they have a general idea,” Silverfield said. “But I constantly want them to feel like, hey, there’s no true depth chart. There has been some guys who probably know, hey, I am probably starting here.” Silverfield added the obvious that he would ‘feel comfortable’ saying Chris Marshall ‘is probably’ going to start at wide receiver, however other wideout spots are waiting to be finalized. Sutton Smith and Braylen Russell expect to be a one-two punch in the backfield and Smith went live in Saturday’s scrimmage after being limited throughout fall camp resting a lower leg setback. “Sutton is full go,” Silverfield said. “I feel very comfortable with him getting back. Like I said, I knew he would be back before too long. Obviously being mindful of him, and clearly we have had the relationship of that communication of making sure that he can get to Game 1. But he was full go, and it was good for him to get tackled out there.” Silverfield also added that the Hogs are ‘solidified’ on the offensive line. He did not mention names, but the consistent five since spring – from left to right – have been Kavion Broussard, Malachi Breland, Caden Kitler, Kobe Branham and Bryant Williams. Are There Still Questions on Defense? Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts was the first coach to talk with the media when fall camp opened back on Aug. 5 and he detailed multiple starters if the Hogs were to play that day. Including the Star hybrid position that is manned by Khmori House, Roberts said the other two safeties would be Christian Harrison and Miguel Mitchell, linebackers would be Ja’Quavion Smith and Bradley Shaw, then there was a three-horse race at the Jack spot between Steven Soles, Charlie Collins and Jamonta Waller. Silverfield said Sunday that Soles will likely get the nod, but Collins is getting every opportunity to earn reps. “Steven Soles has done a really nice job there. He has kind of almost separated himself, probably, as the starter there,” Silverfield said. “But then you’ve got to look at different things. We talked about this last week, right? Like, if we’re playing a team that lines up in 13 personnel and they say, ‘Hey, we are going to sit there and line up and run the ball, try to run the ball at you every play,’ a guy like Charlie Collins, who I love and has done some really good things. “Until Charlie puts that weight on — and I’ve challenged him, and I’m doing so right now publicly — it’s going to be hard for him to hold up versus a team that’s going to line up with 340-pound offensive tackles over him every play. But if it’s a team that’s tempo and pass first, maybe Charlie does get the start.” Opposite of Collins, All-SEC performer Quincy Rhodes Jr. was the one sure player who had his spot locked down from the time he announced his return for one final season in December. The interior defensive trenches continues to be the biggest question mark. This was also an area Silverfield called out during SEC Media Days last month, but he liked what he saw in Sunday’s scrimmage. “We need to see depth,” Silverfield said. “We need to see those guys that can do it. Antonio Sandel-Bascomb is a name that I haven’t mentioned, who may have the opportunity to get into the rotation. And so, it’s a mix of guys. “Obviously, we need to, in a true D-line, not including the Jacks, figure out who are our five guys that can get in there, maybe six. But you’ve seen them step up, and we got to see some different guys make plays last night.” Talk about this with other die-hard Arkansas football fans on The Trough, HawgBeat’s premium message board.