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There's been a ton of media availability this week. Bret Bielema spoke at both the Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Clubs in addition to holding a press conference Thursday afternoon. Jeff Long met with the media for the first time a while on Tuesday. Jonathan Williams was Bielema's opening act on Thursday, and the two were followed by Robb Smith and Dan Enos.
We're going to break this up so it's not 5,000 words. Here's Jonathan Williams and Coach Bielema.
Jonathan Williams
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jonathan Williams: If the rehab goes as planned, I'm looking at mostly likely going to the next level after this season.</p>— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMurphyADG/status/636943606964621312">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There you have it. Some people still ask if Williams could take a redshirt this season and come back in 2016, and here's your answer. He'll most likely be gone to the NFL next year. Yes, he does have the option of returning, but don't count on that happening.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JWill- "If there is a chance I can play late in the season, I'm going to take it."</p>— Razorback Nation (@RazNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/RazNation/status/636945675872145408">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yes, I think it's definitely fair to say that he's in the frame of mind that he won't be in Fayetteville after this season. It would be pretty cool if Arkansas earned a spot in a major bowl game and Williams was able to come back and help the team win it.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">J-Will: I would rather it me got hurt instead of Brandon because that would have hurt the team more.</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636945225399689216">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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This is true, even if it's just because Arkansas has much better running backs behind Williams than quarterbacks behind Allen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jonathan Williams: My teammate voted me as captain, so I want to be as close to the field as I can, in their ears and helping out</p>— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMurphyADG/status/636943790410891264">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jonathan Williams- "Im still gonna be a part of this team, 100%."</p>— Razorback Nation (@RazNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/RazNation/status/636943641152393216">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">J-Will: I am undefeated on my scooter playing ping pong</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636943941653233668">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cause he hasn't played me yet <a href="https://t.co/GhfTEmOI9O">https://t.co/GhfTEmOI9O</a></p>— Rawleigh III 22 (@The3rdRawleigh) <a href="https://twitter.com/The3rdRawleigh/status/636944165721387010">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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OH WE HAVE A CHALLENGE. This should be a video on ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Bret Bielema
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arkansas coach Bret Bielema: I don’t have any qualms about Austin Allen right now. Don’t think there are any backups I feel better about.</p>— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsTalkwBo/status/636947276968120320">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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This is not a surprise at all. Austin is the clear #2 quarterback this season. It was obvious in the scrimmages during camp (even if Rafe Peavey did complete a great percentage of throws, Austin was always the player leading the #2 offense).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coach B: Right now I have 16 guaranteed scholarships for 2016, but that is with no one going to NFL and doesn't account for attrition</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636948601143341056">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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There's been a lot of discussion on the recruiting boards concerning how many players Arkansas will sign this year. Bielema answered that pretty directly. The total number will end up being determined by players going pro and players leaving the team. Arkansas already has 13 commitments for the 2016 class, so that's only a few more open spots before any extras might open up.
I hope coaches don't wait until after the year to talk to those players potentially going pro. To me, the uncertainty is a bigger distraction than knowing what the plans are. That strategy I hurt hurt the basketball team this year when it took Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls something like three weeks after the season ended to declare for the draft. I just feel the sooner you know how many spots you're going to have available, the better off you'll be.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BB- "in our first class that we signed (now juniors), we probably have 8 draftable guys."</p>— Razorback Nation (@RazNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/RazNation/status/636948439700402177">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Lord, I hope it's not 8 players leaving. Seems like that would be a pretty major shock to the system. There are some, like Alex Collins, that you expect, but let's hope it's not 8.
Might be good for recruiting, though.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coach B: Notes he will have to have a lot of confidence from the medical people for J-Will to play this season because NFL scouts love him</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636949424552431616">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Not just going to throw him out there. Not that we'd expect otherwise.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coach B still thinks he is short at LB and OL in terms of overall depth where it needs to be in the overall picture of the program</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636949811292278784">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Definitely clear if you look at the depth chart. Arkansas has been snakebit at linebacker recruiting, it seems like. Other than Brooks Ellis and Martrell Spright in recent years, it seems like so many players just haven't worked out for various reasons.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coach B: The emergence of redshirt freshman Jack Kraus has allowed Coach B to move toward saving freshmen TEs for four more good years.</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636951118514229249">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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They've made some redshirt decisions:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bielema on non-redshirts: Hjalte Froholdt will play. Greenlaw will play without a doubt, on back end Willie Sykes and Ryan Pulley will play</p>— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMurphyADG/status/636951638524084224">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coach B: Rawleigh Williams, Dominique Reed, Josh Allen and maybe Austin Cantrell will be newcomers playing on offense.</p>— Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/status/636952347898441729">August 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Remember that time Arkansas was able to redshirt all those 4* players? Man, that was crazy.