Quarterback Room Taking Different Shape Than Anticipated

Spring ball can throw things off when it comes to position group battles

FAYTETTEVILLE, Ark. - There are always position battles throughout the spring which don't come to full fruition. When it comes to the quarterback room, the clear No. 1 without being named the starter is Taylen Green.

Tight end Luke Hasz recently claimed Green is the best leader at quarterback he's ever had. The Boise State transfer holds more game experience than any other passer on the roster, which should give him an early edge to take a stranglehold of the starting spot.

It also appears redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton is starting to pass Jacolby Criswell on the depth chart. A 4-star signee from the 2023 cycle, he has benefitted from the coaching of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Most of Singleton's work of late has come with the second team, per John Nabors.

A Morrilton native, Criswell was a 4-star prospect when he signed with North Carolina during the 2020 recruiting cycle. While a Tar Heel, he work his way into a starting role during his three-season stint. Being behind future NFL quarterbacks like Sam Howell and Drake Maye kept him as the back-up each season.

Most expected Criswell to be a shoe-in as starter in 2024 once he transferred to Arkansas and sat behind KJ Jefferson last season. He looked like a solid option during the spring game last year, displaying a rocket arm on deep passes. But, the offensive line did him no favors once he received playing time in relief of an injured Jefferson against Missouri, leading to five sacks.

With Singleton performing well, the chase for back-up quarterback will be a race to monitor over the next month leading to the spring game on April 13. 

"I like where we're at with the quarterbacks," Sam Pittman said after practice last week. "They're battling in there. Malachi had a better day than Thursday.

"They're all competing hard against each other. One thing I'm seeing a bit more out of them this year is really good leadership qualities and taking ownership of their own mistakes."

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