Breaking news: the Arkansas head coach has Aworld a world wide Marlon Crockett with $100 due to his…
MEMPHIS — It’s pretty well established that bowl games outside of the playoffs are meaningless to the point that they shouldn’t even count toward records anymore.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t at least a little value in them. While rosters are shredded by the transfer portal and NFL draft, there is a small ray of positivity
.
Buried on the depth chart are members of the roster who do want to play, or in some cases, be relied upon more. They want their moment to show what they can do in a game setting, and often bowl games are the only perfect set of circumstances to get that opportunity.
Not everyone is capable of being their best in practice, so future stars go unnoticed. There’s not enough truly on the line, the stakes aren’t high enough and the atmosphere is too blah to get the juices to 100% for certain players.
That’s why the most interesting position group to watch this evening as Arkansas takes on Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl is going to be the Razorbacks receivers.
UCLA Bruins Insider Podcast on SI – Ep.66: Mara Shines, Bruins Upset No. 18 Wisconsin at Home (01/21/25)
One Position Group Makes Liberty Bowl Worth Watching from Arkansas Perspective
So much to be learned, proven by ragtag group of Razorbacks receivers in Memphis this evening
Kent Smith | Dec 27, 2024
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (4) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (4) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
In this story:
Arkansas Razorbacks
Texas Tech Red Raiders
MEMPHIS — It’s pretty well established that bowl games outside of the playoffs are meaningless to the point that they shouldn’t even count toward records anymore.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t at least a little value in them. While rosters are shredded by the transfer portal and NFL draft, there is a small ray of positivity.
Buried on the depth chart are members of the roster who do want to play, or in some cases, be relied upon more. They want their moment to show what they can do in a game setting, and often bowl games are the only perfect set of circumstances to get that opportunity.
Not everyone is capable of being their best in practice, so future stars go unnoticed. There’s not enough truly on the line, the stakes aren’t high enough and the atmosphere is too blah to get the juices to 100% for certain players.
That’s why the most interesting position group to watch this evening as Arkansas takes on Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl is going to be the Razorbacks receivers.
Isaac TeSlaa
NEEDS TO BE SEEN
With his final season ahead, Isaac TeSlaa is ready to shock the world
🎥 Hear his story and more in the newest episode of the Hog Pod, on Hogs+ pic.twitter.com/DJ9mafDWN4
— Hogs Plus (@HogsPlus) April 8, 2024
TeSlaa came to Arkansas with the best hands in the game and that’s still the case. Seeing him drop a pass is like seeing an albino buck deer on opening day of deer season.
It’s probably happened, but no one is going to believe whoever claims to have personally witnessed it. His only issue was getting separation.
While it was a problem last season, TeSlaa has grown both in speed and as a route runner. That’s why fans got so frustrated through much of the year as he ran open on numerous plays, but wasn’t getting seen by new quarterback Taylen Green.
Now that SEC leading receiver Andrew Armstrong is off getting ready for the NFL, Green no longer has his crutch. Armstrong often blinded him from seeing TeSlaa, so it will be interesting to see how dominant the tandem can be now that Green should be willing to look for him.
Monte Harrison
LEAVE THE LIGHT ON
When Monte Harrison did his best Spiderman impersonation during this catch in 2021 😮 pic.twitter.com/d5LfWBX2Qy
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) December 25, 2024
Harrison was definitely a curiosity as the season began. Having a Major League Baseball player show up on the roster as a 29-year-old freshman held intrigue.
However, there weren’t a lot of opportunities for him as he adjusted to the pace and rhythm of the sport. Now, with a full season under his belt, there is a chance to do it on the field.
Harrison is listed as a starter at wide receiver. What makes this interesting is professional athletes have a propensity to not fully turn it on until the lights literally turn on for real games.
Whether there’s a transformation that takes place remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely Sam Pittman and Bobby Petrino will have witnessed the same player in practice they will get after a couple of plays Friday night in Memphis. This could be a coming out party for Harrison as he remembers what fun feels like when it comes to the adrenaline boost of making big plays in front of a crowd.
