By Nate Allen
Special to the News-Times
FAYETTEVILLE – Subtracting freshman defensive end McTelvin “Sosa” Agim and his advantage of enrolling at the University of Arkansas back in January, fullback Hayden Johnson may have netted the most team-wide respect of all the Razorbacks’ true freshmen.
Upperclassmen like fourth-year junior starting quarterback Austin Allen marveled earlier during the August heat of preseason drills.
He realized that it was obvious Johnson would “run drills until he passes out”. That became apparent when he was the only fullback taking all the first and second team reps during a practice emphasizing formations using the fullback.
Senior and 4-year starting offensive tackle Dan Skipper is also impressed.
“Hayden has shocked everyone,” Skipper said. “The only true fullback in camp and he's taking that and run with it.”
Johnson’s freshman peers also respect the fullback, who's a graduate of Columbia, Missouri's Rockbridge High School.
“Man, that guy is unbelievable,” fellow true freshman running T.J. Hammonds said. “He is a physical guy. He’s got like red marks on his neck and I go, ‘Hey, does that bother you?’ And he goes, ‘No, man. I’m just doing what I have to do.’ Some people go around thinking it’s hickeys or something like that. He is a good guy. I like him.”
Johnson also discussed his Rockbridge résumé.
“Defensive end, defensive tackle, tight end, Wildcat quarterback, just about everything,” Johnson said.
Just about everything but fullback?
“Exactly,” Johnson said. “About everything but fullback. But it’s a lot of experience that fits well into this position. Everything from my past has really led up to me being prepared for this position. They are giving me opportunities and I think I am making an exclamation on it.”
Of course he’s had no opportunity like today’s first full-scale tackle to the ground preseason scrimmage.
“It’s going to be huge for us,” Johnson said. “We have been piecing together in team a little bit. But getting out there with referees and full contact it’s going to be a whole other atmosphere. I can’t wait for it.”
Johnson and Hammonds both say they have two coaches: Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell plus on the field points from Kody Walker, who is a sixth-year senior that has lettered at both running back and fullback.
“I call him Paw-Paw,” Hammonds said. “Paw-Paw has taught me a lot just being here and teaching me the plays and little details about the plays.”
With incumbent starting defensive end Tevin Beanum excused until the Aug. 22 start of classes to resolve some undisclosed issues, Agim – a freshman from Hope – has battled junior Karl Roesler for the current first-team slot opposite senior rush end, All-American candidate Deatrich Wise. The defensive tackles, Jeremiah Ledbetter and Taiwan Johnson, are both seniors.
So what is it like for Agim being the only rookie among veterans?
“They've taken me under their wing, so I feel like I fit in good,” Agim said Friday. “They can tell I want to play and that I'm putting my all into it, so they respect that. It’s all love in the room.”
Those spring practices have helped immensely, Agim said.
“It got me very far ahead of some of the freshmen that are in here right now,” Agim said. “It got me very ahead of some of the freshmen across the country that are just coming in June and July … I've been here since December learning the plays, learning the techniques.”
Offensively, today’s scrimmage looms large at backup quarterback. That spot is currently contested by Ty Storey and sophomore Rafe Peavey.
The scrimmage is also pivotal for the offensive line that o-line coach Kurt Anderson said, “took a step back,” in Thursday’s practice which was dominated by the defensive line.