Posted this on a Razorback Site so thought I would share:

Was reported on the Den that Kivon Bennett(6-2, 236), is working at DE and LB. The former Tennessee standout was a force at DE last season, and was expected to play only LB this year to help his draft prospects. True Sophomore Ethan Hassler (6-2, 236) and true freshman Javante Mackey (6-3, 230) filled his spot along side Jordan Carmouche (6-1, 230).

Looks like their OL is coming together around returning starter So Ethan Miner (center), JC All-American, So Mehki Butler(guard), rFR Makilan Thomas (guard/tackle/center), returning starter Robert Holmes (tackle), transfer Jordan Rhodes (guard/tackle), off/on starter rSR Ernie Ramirez (guard/tackle) and rJR Christian Hoz (guard)- who also has starting experience. That is seven players and Butch said he would like to have eight guys ready, and is still looking for a backup enter. Makilan Thomas is capable of playing center.

Think most felt, like the last two years, that if they could put together a decent OL they had a shot at a winning season. This group really looks, and plays like they will be a very good unit, and that is big for 2022.

As of now nothing but uncertainty about the defensive front, with only rSR DE Thurman Geathers (6-2, 235) being a clear starter. Opposite him rFR Denard Flowers (6-4, 240) has been getting praise and first team snaps.

Of course Kivon Bennett will start if not at LB.

Other player's in the mix are:

17 Blayne Toll DE 6-6 245 So. TR Hazen, Ark./Hazen HS/Colorado/Arkansas
44 Israel Whitmore DE 6-1 224 rFr. 1L Ackerman, Miss./Choctaw County HS
Keyron Crawford DE 6-5 240 Fr. HS Memphis, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian School
Luke Ydarraga DE 6-3 218 Fr. HS Watson, La./Live Oak HS
Robert McWilliams DE 6-4 235 rSr. TR South Miami, Fla./Purdue
32 Ethan Hassler DE/LB 6-2 236 So. 1L Collierville, Tenn./Collierville HS

On the inside it is basically unknown with the following players in the hunt for pt:

0 John Mincey DL 6-4 290 Sr. 1L Homerville, Ga./Tennessee
7 Terion Sugick DL 6-2 297 rFr. TR Landover, Md./Vanderbilt
45 TW Ayers DL 6-1 275 rJr. 3L Lamar, Mo./Lamar HS
59 Tim Hardiman DL 5-11 267 rFr. RS Spring, Texas/Westfield HS
99 Deris Jackson DL 6-2 319 rFr. 1L Memphis, Tenn./Lausanne Collegiate
VJ Bronson DL 6-3 275 So. TR Katy, Texas/Lamar
Wilson Odimba DL 6-1 295 rJr. TR Aubrey, Texas/Mary Hardin-Baylor
Ashtin Rustemeyer DL 6-2 270 Fr. HS St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran HS
Ethan Stewart DL 6-2 327 Fr. HS Trumann, Ark./Trumann
Kadan Lewis DL 6-2 260 Fr. HS Houma, La./Terrebonne HS

Butch has given shootouts to Tim Hardiman- who is probably bigger than 267, and shorter than 5-11, and is a smaller version of Terry Hampton as far as strength and explosiveness, TW Ayers- who is just a football player no matter where you put him, and John Mincey- the former VOL has shown the ability to dominated at times this fall.

It looks like it is going to pt by committee on the inside, until someone steps up, and probably after. The good news is they have some talented youngsters behind those I mentioned who should progress as the season goes along..

Actually other than the front four on defense this team is ready to go, and probably will not have that settled until a few games have been played.

Little on the young side for sure, especially on defense, but certainly not lacking talent at any position. Might be their most talented team ever-certainly the most highly recruited, so should be fun to watch them grow individually-many for the next four or five years, and as a team, although there will probably be some growing pains. Hopefully not to bad, and before conference play.

As far as WR, QB, TE and RB on offense, and CB, Safety, and probably LB on defense, most of the starters are pretty much set , but they are 3-deep with players they can win with if needed.

Just a matter of whoever is expected to start getting the bulk of the snaps on game week.

Butch Jones is very confident A-State fans are going to be happy with where this team is at the end of the season, and even more excited about next year, and while practices have been closed everyone that has seen this team, agrees with him. Young, but probably as talented as any team in the SBC.

So really just need to play the season and have fun.

Is worth noting that while they are young overall, most of their expected starters have played a lot of football -maybe not at A-State, and most were considered P5 talents.

The thinking seems to be that if they can progress enough to go .500 during those first 4 games- three on the road, they will have a great shot at making a bowl not just being bowl eligible . Not an easy task, but certainly not an impossible one.

Not that a bowl game would be off the table with a 1-3 start at all , but would probably require them to beat ULM and James Madison, and then win their last four game, with three of them at home. Not an easy task but again certainly not off the table because of their talent.

For the record, Butch Jones does not think a 3-1 start is off the table, or beating any team not from Ohio on their schedule, and he is not kidding. He thinks they can if they just take care of business.

Most seem to think somewhere between 4-7 wins is about right as far as predicting, then off to the races in 2023, just apparently not Butch Jones. He seems to think seven is the floor for this talented team, "if". Not sure what the "if" includes , but while he says they are making to many mistakes , he seems to think their team is shaping up nicely.

Young overall, but everyone agrees a balanced, explosive offense and a much improved defense are on tap for 2022.