FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas’ two-month search for a graduate-transfer quarterback has finally come to an end. Former SMU quarterback Ben Hicks, a current junior with one year of immediate eligibility remaining, announced on Monday that he’ll spend his final year of college with the coaches that recruited him to Dallas, Arkansas head coach Chad Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock.
Hicks’ decision came less than 24 hours after he had wrapped up a shortened official visit on the Hill. He’s enrolling at the UA this week.
Most expected Hicks to Arkansas to be the final outcome – especially after former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant chose Missouri over the Hogs – but many are still wondering exactly how much Hicks will impact the Razorbacks’ outlook in 2019.
There are plenty of positives, most of which seem obvious based on his connection to Arkansas’ staff.
The Razorbacks struggled mightily at quarterback in 2018 – so much so that former starters Cole Kelley and Ty Storey have decided to leave the program this offseason.
Hicks set school passing records for yards (9,081), touchdowns (71), completions (718), total offense (8,977), and touchdowns-responsible-for (71) during his time with the Mustangs.
The Waco (Texas) native was at his best in Morris’ final year in Dallas, as the then-sophomore quarterback produced 3,569 passing yards and 33 touchdowns against just a dozen picks in 472 attempts. That year, he also led the Mustangs to seven wins and a bowl game prior to Morris bolting to fill Arkansas’ coaching vacancy.
In short, there’s no question Arkansas is getting a huge improvement in terms of its quarterback knowing Morris and Craddock’s playbook like the back of his hand.
That in itself is enough to make the Hogs more likable heading into 2019, not to mention the fact that they’re also bringing in a total of five four-star offensive threats in tight end Hudson Henry and wide receivers Treylon Burks, Trey Knox, TQ Jackson and Shamar Nash.
Bringing in Hicks for one season also buys time for the Razorbacks to develop their otherwise very inexperienced quarterback room, which includes redshirt-freshmen Connor Noland and John Stephen Jones, and incoming true freshman KJ Jefferson.
If Hicks can bridge the rather large gap between an ugly 2-10 inaugural season and a possibly getting back to bowl contention in Year 2, Morris and his staff will look smart for having made the move.
There are questions and concerns, though.
While Hicks did break several school records at SMU, some Razorback fans are worried about his 17-20 overall record and a career completion percentage of 56.6-percent.
There’s also been some message board chatter about Hicks’ sophomore season being a result of SMU having two future NFL Draft picks at wide receiver in Trey Quinn and Courtland Sutton, especially after the quarterbacks’ numbers dipped in his junior season.
For the Hogs, though, what else were they supposed to do?
Bryant was their hands-down No. 1 target, but he didn’t even show up for his final in-home visit with Arkansas’ staff. They took a shot at former Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson, too, but he ultimately decided to turn pro.
Other grad-transfer options, such as Notre Dame’s Brandon Wimbush, Alabama’s Jalen Hurts, and Ohio State’s Tate Martell, showed no returned interest in giving the rebuilding Razorbacks a closer look.
Arkansas’ options were limited, so of course it makes sense to bring in a guy who’s already familiar with – and has had success with – Morris’ style of offense.
If the Hogs are in contention for postseason play in 2019, the move paid off. If they continue to struggle at quarterback, it’ll be hard to blame Morris for trying to make his best possible move.