What will Arkansas football’s depth chart look like in season opener? Our final prediction

Arkansas football's Week 1 matchup with Cincinnati is inching closer, with the Top-25 clash set for Sept. 3 (2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN). Although the Razorbacks have consistency at quarterback in KJ Jefferson, an experienced offensive line and leaders at linebacker and safety, plenty of position battles are ongoing.

Who will coach Sam Pittman start against the Bearcats? Here are our predictions based on preseason practice.

BOLD PREDICTIONS3 bold predictions for Arkansas football's 2022 season, including 'College GameDay'

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Quarterbacks

The starter: KJ Jefferson, R-Jr.

The reserves: Malik Hornsby, R-So; Cade Fortin, R-Sr.

Arkansas' least controversial position is, luckily for the Razorbacks, at quarterback. The team's leading rusher in 2021, returning starter Jefferson is the obvious pick. Behind him is second-year backup Hornsby, who has also been getting reps at wide receiver. The addition of walk-on USF transfer Fortin has allowed Hornsby to give wideout a try, and the newbie has impressed coaches in preseason practice.

Running backs

The starter: Raheim Sanders, so.

The reserves: AJ Green, so.; Rashod Dubinion, fr.

Arkansas' running back room is crowded. This prediction assumes junior Dominique Johnson, who suffered a knee injury in the Outback Bowl and has only recently returned to practice in a limited role, will not be ready for the opener. Pittman declared Sanders the feature back, while Green and Dubinion add depth. Dubinion has impressed Pittman since spring, and he appears to be closing the gap between himself and Green.

Tight ends

The starter: Trey Knox, sr.

The reserves: Nathan Bax, r-jr.

Since making the switch from receiver to tight end last season, Knox has become Arkansas' leader at the position. Bax, a former walk-on, has been getting consistent second-team reps in practice. Behind them, freshman Tyrus Washington impressed coaches early on, and redshirt junior Hudson Henry is right beside him.

Wide receivers

The starters: Jadon Haselwood, r-jr.; Warren Thompson, r-sr.; Matt Landers, sr.

The reserves: Ketron Jackson Jr., so.; Isaiah Sategna, fr.; Jaedon Wilson, r-fr.

In the quest to replace star Treylon Burks "by committee," several intriguing options have emerged. The battle for starting spots is ongoing, and Arkansas continues to rotate players on the first team. Haselwood, an Oklahoma transfer, and returner Thompson have been pretty consistently with the first team. As for Landers, another transfer who has worked with both the first and second teams, nearly every player and coach asked about him has touted his speed. Jackson Jr. is another returner who appeared in all 13 games last season and is certainly in the mix. Wilson has shown consistency in practice, and Sategna's speed has earned him praise in the preseason.

Left tackle

The starter: Luke Jones, r-jr.

The reserves: Andrew Chamblee, fr.

This was the only position on Arkansas' offensive line that lost its 2021 starter. With Myron Cunningham's departure, Luke Jones has been getting the opportunities as first-team left tackle. Chamblee, a former four-star from Arkansas' 2022 recruiting class, has been working with the second team while redshirt freshman Devon Manuel has dealt with an undisclosed injury. Manuel can still return and reclaim his spot.

Left guard

The starter: Brady Latham, r-jr.

The reserves: Jalen St. John, r-so.

Latham has started 23 games at this spot in his career and will do so again this season. He has been absent from practice for the past two days, however, for reasons unknown. St. John, a former four-star who Pittman has always been high on, seems to be the likely back up based on practice. Keep an eye out for freshman Patrick Kutas, though. Pittman has spoken highly of him in preseason practice, and offensive line coach Cody Kennedy has played him at multiple spots, including both guard positions.

Center

The starter: Ricky Stromberg, sr.

The reserves: Josh Street, r-fr.

Stromberg, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection, will start at center after doing so in all 13 games last season. Arkansas doesn't have great depth at the anchor spot, however. Stromberg's probable backup, redshirt sophomore Marcus Henderson, is dealing with a pectoral injury. The timeline for his return is unclear. That leaves Street, who has been working with the second team.

Right guard

The starter: Beaux Limmer, r-jr.

The reserves: E'Marion Harris, fr.

Limmer will reprise his role at right guard, where he has started 16 games in his career. Harris, a highly-rated recruit, has moved around some along the line, but seems to get most of his work with the second team at right guard. Kutas could also slot in here.

Right tackle

The starter: Dalton Wagner, r-sr.

The reserves: Ty'Kieast Crawford, jr.

Wagner was limited in spring practice due to a back injury but has said in preseason camp that he has fully recovered. But Pittman indicated that the veteran won't play every snap in all 12 games, and the staff seems to be grooming Crawford to fill in for Wagner on the outside.

Defensive ends

The starters: Zach Williams, sr., Jashaud Stewart, jr.

The reserves: Landon Jackson, so.; Jordan Domineck, r-sr.

Finding a strong pass-rushing defensive end was one of Pittman's goals for the Razorbacks in 2022. Williams, a returning starter, has been at end in both three- and four-man fronts during practice. Stewart backed up leading pass rusher Tre Williams last season and has run with the first team as well. Jackson and Domineck are two of Arkansas' transfer additions with opportunities to work into starting roles as well. Don't count out veterans Dorian Gerald and Eric Thomas Jr., however, who have run with the third team in practice.

Defensive tackles

The starters: Isaiah Nichols, r-sr., Eric Gregory, r-jr.

The reserves: Terry Hampton, sr.; Nico Davillier, fr.

When Arkansas operates with a three-man front, Nichols and Hampton are the tackles and Gregory can flex out to end as needed. Hampton, an Arkansas State transfer, has had a great month of August and could earn a starting job down the road. Davillier has been a favorite of Pittman's in preseason practice and can play both end and tackle. He should jump redshirt freshman Cam Ball on the depth chart.

Linebackers

The starters: Bumper Pool, sr., Drew Sanders, jr.

The reserves: Chris Paul Jr., r-fr.

Pool, Arkansas' leading tackler last season, is a given for a starting role despite only starting one game in 2021. Alabama transfer Drew Sanders is playing an interesting part on this defense, moving from outside to middle linebacker and doubling as a pass-rusher. As for a third option, the favorite is Paul, who has gotten some first team reps. Redshirt sophomore Jackson Woodard has also appeared alongside Pool and Sanders in practice. A pair of talented freshmen, Mani Powell and Jordan Crook, round out the group.

Nickelback

The starter: Myles Slusher, jr.

The reserves: Trent Gordon, r-sr.

Slusher has mostly played safety but has made the move to nickel to replace Greg Brooks Jr., who transferred to LSU. Penn State transfer Gordon is being groomed as the backup nickel, and freshman Jaylen Lewis is behind him.

Cornerbacks

The starters: Hudson Clark, r-jr; Malik Chavis, r-jr.

The reserves: LaDarrius Bishop, r-sr.; Dwight McGlothern, jr.

Pittman called the cornerback position the biggest ongoing battle, but based on first-team reps and the way coaches have spoken of them, Clark and Chavis are my picks. Chavis made the rare move from safety to corner and credits his speed with helping in the transition. Bishop started eight games at corner last season and could start some games in 2022 as well. LSU transfer McGlothern certainly brings talent, but hasn't gotten much work with the first team when media has been on hand to watch.

Safeties

The starters: Jalen Catalon, r-jr.; Simeon Blair, r-sr.

The reserves: Latavious Brini, sr.; Jayden Johnson, so.

Preseason All-American Catalon is back from injury after missing seven games last season. Blair started seven games last season and has had a solid camp with the ones. Brini transferred in from Georgia, where he started 11 games at nickel in 2021. He could work his way into a starting role. Johnson worked at backup nickel last season and will see the field plenty as a sophomore.

Special teams

Placekicker: Cam Little, so.

Kickoffs: Jake Bates, sr.

Punter: Reid Bauer, r-sr.

Long snapper: Eli Stein, fr.

Kickoff return: Matt Landers, sr.; AJ Green, so.

Punt return: Bryce Stephens, r-fr.; Isaiah Sategna, fr.

Little is the obvious starter at placekicker after making 20 of 24 field goal attempts last season. Little has a shot at kickoff duties, but walk-on transfer Bates played that role for two seasons at Texas State. Bauer has competition at punter in freshman Max Fletcher, but he's won battles for the job before. Stein is a scholarship long snapper. Kickoff and punt return orders are based on what Pittman has said after scrimmages. Haselwood is in the mix at kickoff return, and Sategna is a close second to Stephens at punt return.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football: Predicting depth chart for opener vs. Cincinnati