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Which first-year players will help Arkansas in 2016?
Bret Bielema's 21-man 2016 recruiting class won't rank among the best in the SEC. It also doesn't necessarily garner the headlines comparable to the likes of LSU, Florida, Georgia, or Alabama.
With that said, it's a hard-nosed, high-upside group possessing some very good talent. However, with Brandon Allen, Sebastian Tretola, Hunter Henry, and Alex Collins all leaving Fayetteville, the Razorbacks are in need an injection of offfensive skill ability.
Fortunately for Bielema's team, there are two incoming freshmen with the ability to impact the roster right away on the offensive side of the ball. Arkansas also has a stud in-state defensive lineman ready to make his mark within the two-deep.
Also enrolled earlier this spring ➡️ @So_Splash!
— Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) February 3, 2016
?NSD16 #Uncommon pic.twitter.com/uRdEnfOLTC
Devwah Whaley
A one-time pledge to Georgia, the Texas back is one of the crown jewels within the recruiting class. Whaley is solidly-built at 6-foot-0, 190 pounds. He also can make people miss in space with his exceptional lateral quickness.
He's a bit different than the typical Bielema back. While not bulky and big, Whaley does still possess the requisite size to get a good chunk of the carries within any ballgame.
Whaley can catch balls out of the backfield -- something Arkansas backs aren't necessarily known for. Couple that with the fact Collins and Kody Walker have moved on, and Whaley appears ready to potentially snag a starting spot as a true freshman. At the very worst, he'll split carries with Rawleigh Williams III as part of a two-headed rushing attack.
T.J. Hammonds
A local prospect from Little Rock, the Rivals.com 4-star athlete is a versatile player.
Arkansas beat out many prominent programs for his services -- and for good reason. Hammonds can flat out fly in the open field -- both evading defenders and acting as a true home-run threat downfield.
He possesses very good hands both as a receiver and a running back. Ultimately, Hammonds may end up as a running back in Arkansas' scheme. If this does come to frution, look for the Razorbacks to get Hammonds out in space -- where he can be creative and utilize his slippery nature as a runner.
Hammonds should add some much-needed explosiveness within Arkansas' skill position group.
McTelvin Agim
The best high school player in the state of Arkansas this past season, defensive lineman McTelvin Agim warded off inquiries from every big program in order to stay home and play for the Razorbacks.
A fantastic athlete at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, Agim can play as both a defensive end and as a defensive tackle. He's big, power, agile, and relentless in his pursuit of ball-carriers and quarterbacks alike.
Although Arkansas does return a good chunk of its defensive front from a year ago, Agim will be hard to keep off the field. He's also already enrolled in school -- which gives him a big jump in terms of comprehending the playbook, working within a college strength and conditioning program, and also acclimating to academics on the college level.
Look for Agim to make a big impact in 2016.
