FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)-Competition has been the name of the game for the Arkansas football team during fall camp. Most positions have multiple players competing for a starting spot, but none more so than the wide receivers.
Five players could earn a starting gig.
After Julian Horton and Javontee Herndon graduated, junior Keon Hatcher is the most experienced returning player and will be considered a favorite; but there are other options.
Senior Demetrius Wilson missed all last year due to an ACL tear. He caught nine passes for 117 yards in 2012 and is the next most experience player behind Hatcher and can play multiple positions.
Sophomore Cody Hollister transferred into the program last year and is another guy who can play multiple spots and see playing time.
“How much time I get, we'll see,” Hollister said. “But I'm competing for a starting job. That's what you do as a wide receiver.”
Greenwood native Drew Morgan has been getting reps with the first team and is also in the mix.
Freshman Jared Cornelius arrived in January and has seen a big transformation. He’s another player coaches have mentioned as a possible starter.
“It's crazy,” Cornelius said. “I've gained 25 pounds in the weight room and gained an inch. I don't know how much (strength)coach (Ben Herbert) has to do with that but as far as knowing the game and the offense it's leaps and bounds ahead of what I came in knowing.”
With the season quickly approaching the coaches say the two-deep depth chart is very loose and could change throughout the year.
“It's never bad to have that guy behind you working just as hard as you,” Wilson said. “That's going to bring the best out of you and the best out of him as well.”