Louisiana natives standing out for Arkansas
When looking for positives in Arkansas' disappointing start to the season, one thing that stands out is the play of the Hogs' Louisiana natives.
The guys from "Da Boot" have been solid for the Razorbacks in all three phases.
Starting on defense, where the Hogs start four Louisiana natives, inside linebacker Dejon Harris leads the team with 55 tackles and five tackles for loss.
At outside linebacker, senior Dwayne Eugene has quietly become a leader of the defense with a team-high in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (5.5).
Redshirt-freshman defensive lineman Briston Guidry isn't a starter but has shown the ability to disrupt plays. Guidry missed a game but has five tackles, half a tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry on the year.
In the back end, junior safety Santos Ramirez leads the secondary statistically with 29 tackles, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Like Ramirez, senior cornerback Henre' Toliver has been steady for the Hogs. He owns 17 tackles, three pass break-ups, a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception this season.
Nate Dalton, who graduated high school in Texas but is originally from Baton Rouge, has been one of Arkansas' best cover guys on special teams.
True freshman Devion Warren has handled the kickoff return duties and has 10 returns for 226 yards, including a 42-yard return against South Carolina.
Offensively, fans got their first real look at redshirt-freshman quarterback Cole Kelley last Saturday against Alabama.
Kelley had his 'first-start' moments, but there have been enough positive signs this season for Arkansas to feel good about its quarterback situation after Austin Allen graduates.
Kelley has completed 34 of 60 passes (56.7 percent) for 386 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions. The "Steamboat" also has 30 net rushing yards despite being sacked five times for -10 yards against the Crimson Tide.
Haynesville native Kendrick Jackson continues to start at fullback and certainly isn't to blame for Arkansas' woes in the running game this season. Jackson has touched the ball three times this year. He has one carry for no gain and two kickoff returns for 22 yards.
Arkansas' offense is without one of its top playmakers, too, as Shreveport native and senior wide receiver Jared Cornelius is out for the season following an injury against Texas A&M.