Oklahomans on Arkansas' roster
By NATE ALLEN World Correspondent on Aug 18, 2013, at 2:32 AM Updated on 8/18/13 at 5:56 AM
Of the Arkansas Razorbacks' six scholarship players from Oklahoma, four - safety Eric Bennett, cornerback Jared Collins, linebacker Jarrett Lake and defensive tackle Robert Thomas - began the August preseason on the first-team defense.
Offensively, lineman Austin Beck and receiver Keon Hatcher began August as backups.
Eric Bennett
Free safety
Sr., 6-0, 200
Booker T. Washington
A three-year letterman and two-year starter. Under scrutiny from the new staff who recruited safeties to challenge him, but unquestionably Arkansas' No. 1 free safety, and "playing outstanding football" in the August preseason, coach Bret Bielema said.
Austin Beck
Offensive guard
Soph. 6-7, 300
Nowata
Third-year sophomore finished spring drills as the backup left offensive tackle and moved to backup guard in August with the emergence of freshman tackles Denver Kirkland and Dan Skipper.
Jared Collins
Cornerback
Soph. 6-0, 175
Booker T. Washington
A redshirted freshman in 2012 and a stunner in the spring of 2013, beating out sophomore incumbent starter Will Hines, and so far retaining first-team in the preseason.
"He is a cat-quick guy and he's smart (4.0 kinesiology student)," cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson said.
Keon Hatcher
Receiver
Soph. 6-2, 215
Owasso
Lettered as reserve last year with three catches for 21 with a 6-yard TD vs. South Carolina. Fast and in the mix, as a receiver and kick returner, receivers coach Michael Smith said.
Jarrett Lake
Linebacker
Sr. 6-3, 226
Jenks
Three-year letterman but mainly just on special teams. Took on new life with the new defensive staff and finished the spring as first-team outside linebacker.
Bielema says Lake helps the team even if he never played a down. "If I can take one guy and take part of his DNA and put in everybody right now, it would be J. Lake," Bielema said. "Contagious personalty, every day he's having fun."
Robert Thomas
Defensive tackle
Sr. , 6-3, 325
Muskogee
A 2011 junior college sophomore transfer from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, Thomas only has missed one game, including seven starts, while lettering the past two years. Though inconsistent, flashed potential that has caught the eye of new staff.
