Three Northwest Arkansas Natives Have a Shot at Starting on Hogs Offensive Line

Three Northwest Arkansas natives are competing for a starting spot on the Razorbacks offensive line this fall. Brey Cook from Har-Ber High School has the most experience. He played in 11 games last year as a true freshman. Mitch Smothers, a Springdale High School alumnus, saw action in seven games last year as a freshman, starting four of those. Smothers was the first freshman in school history to start a season opener. Marcus Danenhauer from Bentonville High School redshirted in 2011 and worked on the scout team.  He has four more years of eligibility.

Three of the starting offensive line spots seem to be set in stone. Travis Swanson will anchor at center. Alvin Bailey is coming off an All-SEC season as a guard. Tackle Jason Peacock was a starter last year, but played on the second team in spring practice because of his arrest for unauthorized use of a credit card. He is already back with the first team in fall practice. That leaves two spots open; one at guard and one at tackle. Brey Cook looks like the leader at tackle.

“Nothing’s set in stone yet,” said Cook. “We really want to go out and compete in fall camp, earn a spot and maybe I will get out there a little bit and make a difference.”

At guard Smothers will battle with senior Tyler Deacon and would love to add to the four games he started last year.

 “We’ve all wanted to be Razorbacks our whole lives. So actually being able to go out and play in the stadium in front of the home crowd is so exciting,” said Smothers.

Marcus Danenhauer will also compete for a spot at guard, making three local guys with a legit shot at getting playing time.

“We all used to face each other in high school but now we’re all pretty good friends, and hang out all the time,” said Danenhauer.

That’s something you never would have heard any of these guys say two years ago.

“Eventually we should have three or four 479 guys out there and I think it will be really special,” said Cook.

If it doesn’t happen this season, they have two more years to do it.