FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Arkansas football team took to the practice field for the first official preseason workout on Thursday.
Workouts were split between the freshmen and newcomers, who practiced in the heat of the day in the afternoon, and the veterans, who worked out in the evening.
The veterans practice saw Tyler Wilson, Knile Davis and company on the field for the first time, and first-year head coach John L. Smith could not have been happier.
“This is as good a practice as I can remember, first day out,” he said. “We got a ton of reps, we were keeping each other healthy, we were in, we were out, it was sharp, there was energy.”
Reports said that Davis, back after breaking his ankle last season, looked good and did not favor his injured leg at all. Thursday’s practice was no-contact.
“What I think Coach (Smith) saw was that we had a great attitude, a lot of good energy,” Davis said. “All the seniors, all the veterans, I think we understand that this is a big year. Everybody was serious today, everybody was focused, and that was great to see.”
Arkansas will go with the split workouts through Sunday, then go one full practice a day for a week, before two-a-days begin on Aug. 13.
The Hogs host Jacksonville State in the season opener on Sept. 1.