Arkansas Football: 2017 Season preview and predictions

Offense

Austin Allen enters 2017 as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks. It’s not surprising to see his name scribbled on the depth chart, but it’s a bit shocking that he’s still standing. The incoming senior was sacked 35 times during his junior campaign.

He’ll have a bit more experience in front of him, starting with senior center Frank Ragnow. Ragnow is projected to be a top three round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Alongside him will be several upperclassmen with legitimate SEC experience under their belts.

While the Hogs will benefit from added depth on the line, they took a major hit with the stunning retirement of running back Rawleigh Williams III. After suffering a second neck injury in 2016, Williams elected to hang up his cleats and move on to the “next chapter” of his life. That puts Devwah Whaley in line for the lion’s share of the carries in the backfield this season.

More: Devah Whaley could be Hogs’ secret weapon in 2017 

A sophomore from Beaumont, Texas, Whaley was productive in spot duty last year. He finished the year with 602 yards rushing on 110 carries and three touchdowns with six catches for 139 yards. Arkansas devolved into a pass first offense last season. They’re going to need Whaley to step up in 2017. Head coach Bret Bielema believes in his young ball carrier. When speaking of Whaley he said, “I think he’s got the bag of all tricks.”

The Razorbacks finished third in the SEC in passing last season, topping 260 yards per game. They ranked in the middle of the pack with only 32 attempts per game. Their low volume passing attack with too many sacks produced 30 points per game in 2016. That’s going to need to change in a hurry, and they have the pieces to make that happen.