Nutt Makes Moves to Solidify Offensive Line

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt made two moves on Wednesday to solidify his offensive line as injuries have devastated the Razorbacks front line over the past several weeks.

Nutt moved defensive tackles Fred Bledsoe and Jeremy Harrell to the offensive line in a 90 minute workout in shells inside the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion Wednesday afternoon.

The Hogs lost guard Chase Pressley to a separated shoulder during Tuesday’s practice and are still worried about center Kyle Roper’s knee.

“We are concerned with the offensive line with Roper being a little shaky and (Chase) Pressley going down with a separated shoulder yesterday,” Nutt said. “I moved Jeremy Harrell to offensive guard and Fred Bledsoe to tackle. We were basically down to six guys, and we were getting nervous and thin.”

The two were put through an offensive line crash course Tuesday evening and got their first reps at the position on Wednesday.

“They did a good job,” Nutt said. “They really accepted the move well, and we really appreciate their attitude. They are really helping the team out in an area where we need the depth, and they really did some good things today.”

The defection of Bledsoe and Harrell still leaves the Hogs with a solid group of players along a defensive front that includes Marcus Harrison, Keith Jackson, Marcus Shavers, Ernest Mitchell and Cord Gray at defensive tackle. At defensive end, Arkansas has Jamaal Anderson, Desmond Sims, Zach Snider, Michael Tate and Antwain Robinson.

The Razorbacks moved their practice session indoors on Wednesday to give the players a change of environment.

“We just wanted to change it up today,” Nutt said. “We have always had great practices in here and I think that was the main reason. We just really wanted to have a good practice today, and for some reason indoors has always been a great environment for us.”

The Hogs will return to the practice field on Thursday for a final day of work before departing for fourth-ranked Georgia Friday morning.