Breakdown of the Six Former Arkansas Razorbacks Preparing for 2016 NFL Combine Grind

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The 2016 NFL Combine kicks into full swing starting on Friday, Feb. 26 running through Sunday, Feb. 29. With millions of dollars on the line, for both the players, coaches, and the respective teams, each potential draftee is put through the process of having every part of their game and physical stature picked to pieces and put back together again. Along with collecting all of the physical traits, each player is put through the NFL’s version of an IQ test, put through athleticism drills, and interviewed to get an idea of each player’s personality while answering any lingering questions about past troubles, work ethic, or attitude quirks.

For six former Arkansas Razorbacks going through the 2016 combine, any lingering questions about on or off the field problems are pretty much non-existent. The six players hoping to up their stock this weekend includes quarterback Brandon Allen, running back Alex Collins, tight end Hunter Henry, offensive lineman Denver Kirkland, offensive guard Sebastian Tretola, and running back Jonathan Williams. Of the six, only Williams may have questions to answer regarding the injury that kept him off the field during his senior season.

If NFL scouts go solely off on the field play, Williams will have little to answer. During his junior season in 2014, he was fourth in the SEC in total rushing yards gashing the opposition for 1,190 yards with 12 touchdowns scored. Same goes for junior running back Alex Collins. Collins is one of only three SEC backs ever to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons in the conference (Herschel Walker and Darren McFadden). During his freshman season, Collins ran for 1,026 yards followed by 1,100, and then topped off his best season yet as the lone featured back rushing 271 times for 1,577 yards with 20 touchdowns getting overshadowed by two other great individual seasons by Heisman Trophy Award winner Derrick Henry (Alabama) and another Heisman contender in Leonard Fournette (LSU).

If anyone was ever wondering the difference one year can make on the collegiate gridiron, look no further than Brandon Allen. Tough to imagine anyone else has had a tougher road to go than Allen during his college career at quarterback. Starting out from the shadows of the Bobby Petrino era, he worked under four different offensive coordinators slowly working his way into an All-SEC caliber player. He punctuated his four-year career tossing 30 touchdown passes against just eight picks covering 3,440 yards, third best in the SEC, and led the conference in quarterback rating with a 166.5 mark.

Kirkland is an early NFL draft entry, and perhaps one of the three (Alex Collins and Hunter Henry) who should have stayed one more year at the collegiate level to up his draft status. The Florida native started for the Hogs as true freshman earning Freshman All-American honors in 2013 playing guard. With Tretola coming in for the 2014 season, Kirkland moved from right to left guard helping build a formidable one-two punch along the line for Arkansas in the trenches. In 2015, then Arkansas offensive line coach Sam Pittman moved Kirkland out of position to left tackle setting back the entire offensive line and perhaps Kirkland’s growth as a next level offensive guard. Kirkland has the size, frame, and talent but there are questions about his mechanics especially on pass sets.

Sebastian Tretola wrapped up his two-year Arkansas career earning second team All-American honors. Tretola’s heart and determination play-after-play have never been in question, but his physical endurance due to heavy weight was always a concern even though he never left the field for the Hogs, always with a high snap count every game. Tretola came to Arkansas reportedly in the 360 pound range, but has worked his way into great physical shape tipping the scales at 314 pounds during pre-combine weigh-in. The heavier weight may have forced some scouts to pass on him due to technique flaws but the slimmer version may produce better results with NFL instruction.

The Razorbacks are losing a lot of talent to the NFL off the 2015 roster, but none maybe as talented as Henry. Henry finished his junior season as the top tight end in the nation winning the John Mackey Award and was selected as a first team All-American. Henry led all SEC tight ends in receptions (51) and yards (739) with three touchdowns. Another stat not listed among most lists, he completed the 2015 season without a drop. Henry is an above average blocker but will get put to the test a little more in the NFL to improve sustaining blocks in the run game. Could be the top tight end taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. If the draft plays out in his favor, could be a first round selection.

While fan bases may have a higher opinion of their former players, NFL scouts are far less warm and fuzzy with their evaluations. The following is a list of the pre-draft grades for each Arkansas player in the draft along with a NFL chart rating placing the grade with the expectation level of each player. One would have to think Williams’ lower grade is due to missing the 2015 season. Tough to fathom Tretola is in the range as a “NFL backup or special teams player” and not a notch higher as a potential NFL starter.

Former Arkansas Razorbacks Pre-Combine Draft Grades

QB Brandon Allen, 6’1”, 217 – 5.39

RB Alex Collins, 5’10”, 217 – 5.7

TE Hunter Henry, 6’5”, 250 – 6.5

OL Denver Kirkland, 6’4”, 335 – 5.06

OG Sebastian Tretola, 6’4”, 314 – 5.39

RB Jonathan Williams, 5’11”, 220 – 5.57

NFL Grades and Professional Trajectory

10-9 Once in a lift-time player

8.99-8.00 Perennial All-Pro

7.99-7.5 Future All-Pro

7.49-7.00 Pro Bowl caliber player

6.99-6.50 Chance to become Pro Bowl caliber player

6.49-6.00 Instant NFL starter

5.99-5.50 Could be an NFL starter

5.49-5.20 NFL backup or special teams player

5.19-5.01 Could make an NFL roster

5.00 50-50 chance of making an NFL roster

4.74-4.50 NFL training camp invitee

No Grade – Development league prospect

*Chart taken from NFL.com

Photo credit: 51pointphoto.com; Alex Collins receives the handoff from Brandon Allen with Hunter Henry blocking on the right.