FAYETTEVILLE — Ace University of Arkansas cornerback Jaylon Braxton found another worthy adversary to match up against in Tuesday’s 12th practice of spring.
Working inside the Walker Pavilion on what started as a wet, windy morning, the sophomore Braxton was in near-blanket coverage on a Taylen Green throw down the deep middle for senior Isaac TeSlaa on the first play of a team period.
At the high point of the catch zone, both players went up and TeSlaa reached over his head with one arm and somehow hauled in the long ball before the pair of players, plus a converging safety, fell in a tumble on the artificial turf.
TeSlaa celebrated the catch down near the end zone while the rest of the offensive players back behind the 50-yard line hooted, hollered and celebrated, with some of them jogging several yards down the field to express their emotions.
The 6-4 TeSlaa, who had moderate success last year in his first season as a transfer from Hillsdale (Mich.) College, is making a play to be in the top echelon of Arkansas wideouts this season. One of his running mates, 6-4 Andrew Armstrong, was back at work on Tuesday, as the Razorbacks practiced in shoulder pads and shorts. But 6-7 receiver Tyrone Broden was still away from the team tending to a family matter, Coach Sam Pittman said, and 6-3 Jaedon Wilson was still limited.
Green’s completion percentage went up over his work from last week, thanks in part to the presence of Armstrong, but also with catches like the one TeSlaa pulled down.
Pittman called Tuesday’s work “a really good practice,” but he added the Razorbacks obviously have things to work on in all phases.
“I like where we’re at, both sides of the ball,” Pittman said, four days before the Hogs will wrap up spring with the annual Red-White game.
The practice featured the first big flare-up of spring on a run play to tailback Ja’Quinden Jackson, who appeared to be pushed beyond the left sideline into an open notch in the pavilion. Offensive tackle Keyshawn Blackstock took exception to the rough shove and came in hot, then defensive tackle Eric Gregory appeared to take a couple of swipes at him as players amassed all around. It took probably half a minute before order could be restored.
