Razorback Spring Report: AJ Derby Continues To Impress in New Spot

“I thought our guys bounced back,” Bielema said. “Thursday was a practice we backed off of them physically, really the only time during the course of the spring I felt we didn’t move forward. I was excited when they bounced back today. Still a lot of teaching and learning but I was excited about their tempo and their energy today.”

Bielema discussed AJ Derby‘s success at the tight end position.

“The kid is talented,” Bielema said. “The transition has been as seamless as I can imagine. It amazes me how well he catches the ball, it absolutely blows my mind because that’s not an easy thing to run full speed in traffic and catch it. He changes our offense, literally overnight.”

Bielema also spoke about the Red-White Spring Game next Saturday. 

“What I am going to do is just ones against the world,” Bielema said. “I think we’re at a point now where I want our ones to play together consistently. That will be pretty much the first half. Then the second half we will rotate some guys through. We will have some kicking at the end of the first quarter and third quarter. We have some special visitors that might take some reps with us from the line of scrimmage. It will be fun for everyone involved. I’ve talked to some people involved and this is one of the few times a year where we can involve some interaction without penalty and we will take advantage of it. Saturday is all about us getting better and I want the fans to show up. I would love to have a great crowd. It will be a good recruiting day for us. The reason I go ones against the world really is just so those guys have some continuity of playing together. I want our one defense to be on the sideline when our one offense is out there and realize when they drive the ball and score, they have to go out and shut them down and vice versa. I want them to feed off each other.”

The Razorbacks will wrap up their spring practice sessions with the Red-White Spring Game on April 26. The Red-White Spring Game will be held in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and broadcast live on CST. Game time is 1 p.m., and admission is free.