Arkansas Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Arkansas football finished the 2016 season with a 7-6 record, but there’s plenty to be excited about heading into 2017.

Bret Bielema is one of the more colorful characters in college football. He’s an honest coach and that’s why Arkansas football fans love him. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, which is something he’s always been known for, dating back to his days with Wisconsin.

However, he hasn’t had quite the same amount of success with the Razorbacks as he had with Wisconsin, contending for Big Ten titles every year. He has plenty of talent surrounding him, though.

The 2017 season could be a make-or-break campaign for the outspoken head coach and it’d be a shock to see his team win less than 7-8 games again. Can the Razorbacks shock the rest of the SEC and contend for the division crown?

Let’s take a look at what the two-deep depth chart will look like for the potential dark-horse Razorbacks.

Offensive Line

Starting center: Frank Ragnow
Backup: Zach Rogers

The Razorbacks will be without their best lineman, all-SEC left tackle Dan Skipper, this season, but return pretty much every other major piece. That’s critical for an offense that prides itself on its power run game, and it could lead to improved efficiency for what was too often a boom-or-bust running game. Senior Frank Ragnow — a player so valuable that Bret Bielema held him out of spring scrimmages to avoid injuries — will anchor the line this fall. Rogers, a junior, is the heir apparent.

Starting guards: Johnny Gibson, Hjalte Froholdt
Backups: Jake Raulerson, Jalen Merrick

Froholdt is a sure bet to top the depth chart at left guard, as he started every single game there for Arkansas last fall. It gets trickier from there. Johnny Gibson is the frontrunner for the right guard spot, but Jalen Merrick had a strong offseason and is almost certain to earn some snaps this season. Raulerson, a senior who started eight games in 2016, provides depth at both tackle and guard.

Starting tackles: Colton Jackson, Brian Wallace
Backups: Dalton Wagner, Paul Ramirez

Jackson and Wallace both won battles in the offseason to secure the two tackle spots, with Jackson likely to replace Skipper at left tackle. Senior and lifelong backup Paul Ramirez will round out the depth chart here, but keep an eye on Dalton Wagner. A massive, 6-foot-9 true freshman, Wagner has impressed enough in the fall to earn consistent reps with the second team offensive line.