FAYETTEVILLE — Julian Neal began Arkansas football’s preseason camp as the second-team left cornerback behind Jaheim Singletary, but was elevated to the starting lineup for back-to-back fastball starts.
The redshirt senior, who spent his first four seasons at Fresno State, hails from San Francisco. His uncle, Aaron Criswell, played wide receiver at UNLV from 2013-15.
Neal brings a familiar connection to Fayetteville in wide receiver Raylen Sharpe, his former Fresno State teammate. Sharpe, a 5-9 slot receiver and childhood friend of quarterback Taylen Green, transferred to Arkansas and is expected to play a key role in the Razorbacks’ passing attack.
“I love Ray, man,” Neal said Tuesday. “My dad always asks about him. Ray’s phenomenal. He just does his job and stays himself. He’s always open. I can’t wait to see him this season.”
Neal has found deeper family ties in Arkansas.
“I was at a family reunion here a month or two ago,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much family I had out here until then. Having Ray here was big for me, but knowing I had family too made me comfortable.”
Neal also noted a street named Criswell Lane—his mother’s family name—located north of Conway, about 51 miles from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newsroom.
“Good to see where my roots are,” Neal said.
Tuesday’s Practice Notes
On Day 5 of camp, punter Devin Bale led the “H-O-G-S” jumping jacks and post-stretch breakdown. The Razorbacks will have their first off day Wednesday before putting on full pads for Thursday’s practice at 9:15 a.m. The team will have the next three Sundays off.
Media viewing was limited to the first three periods Tuesday. Arkansas did not reveal its fastball start lineups for the second consecutive day, holding steady with the three-deep chart from the weekend. The team split into positional groups, with offense on the outdoor fields and defense in Walker Pavilion.
Wide receivers ran paired routes—one breaking off at five yards while the other continued vertically. Two quarterbacks threw simultaneously, and apart from drops by Krosse Johnson and Rykar Acebo, the execution was crisp.
Nick Perry’s Return to Fayetteville
First-year defensive backs coach Nick Perry, the lone new hire on Sam Pittman’s 2025 staff, vividly remembers his visits to Fayetteville as an Alabama defensive back (2010-14). The 2010 game stands out, where Arkansas led 20-14 entering the fourth quarter before Alabama’s late rally secured a 24-20 victory.
“Pig sooie—that’s what I remember most,” Perry said. “It was a wild atmosphere. I didn’t eat pork for two months after that game.”
After stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, Perry jumped at the chance to return to the SEC.
“When Coach T-Will and Coach Pittman called, it was a no-brainer,” Perry said. “My wife couldn’t pack fast enough. We’re back down south and ready to roll.”
Developing Antonio Jordan
Receivers coach Ronnie Fouch is taking a deliberate approach with freshman Antonio Jordan, a 6-6, 234-pound wideout from Warren.
“We have a daily plan,” Fouch said. “I don’t want to overwhelm him with the whole playbook. He’s got the talent and cares deeply about getting it right.”
Fouch emphasized managing Jordan’s reps to build confidence, while players like veteran Monte Harrison are also taking notice.
“First day, you could see how much he loves the game,” Harrison said. “He even hopped into drills in street clothes after class. That tells you a lot about a guy.”
Wide Receiver Depth and Mentality
Arkansas must replace top receiver Andrew Armstrong, who tallied 78 catches for 1,140 yards last season. Fouch said the Razorbacks have added depth, speed, and toughness to their wideout group.
Raylen Sharpe is confident in the unit’s potential.
“I feel like we have the best receiver room in America—from upperclassmen to freshmen,” Sharpe said.
Cornerback Kani Walker echoed that sentiment, praising the relentless effort of Arkansas’ wideouts.
“Every single one of them goes hard every snap,” Walker said. “Even the new guys came in ready to dominate.”
Award Watch Lists
Sophomore running back Braylen Russell was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List on Tuesday, given annually to the nation’s top running back. Russell, Arkansas’ heaviest back at 238 pounds, rushed for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2024.
He’s also been working as an off-returner on the kickoff unit during fall camp. Russell’s inclusion adds to Arkansas’ growing preseason watch list:
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Kam Shanks (Jet Award, Hornung Award)
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Devin Bale (Ray Guy Award)
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Fernando Carmona Jr. (Outland Trophy)
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Taylen Green (Maxwell Award)
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Xavian Sorey Jr. (Butkus Award)
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Cam Ball (Wuerffel Trophy)
The Doak Walker Award winner will be announced Dec. 12.
Fan Day Set for Aug. 16
Arkansas announced its annual Football Fan Day for Aug. 16 from 3-4:30 p.m. inside Walker Pavilion. The free event will include an autograph session, with doors opening at 2:45 p.m. near Barnhill Arena.
Fans will receive an autographed team poster—the only signable item allowed—to streamline the process. A clear bag policy will be enforced, and bottled water is permitted.
Parking is available in lots 201, 204-209, 211-212, 214-215, 220, 222, 307, 310-316, and 320-322.
NFL Scouts in Attendance
Six NFL teams scouted practice over the past two days. Representatives from the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans attended Monday. The New York Giants and Denver Broncos visited Tuesday.
Arkansas will conduct 25 practices this month, including scrimmages on Saturday and Aug. 16, leading up to its season opener against Alabama A&M on Aug. 30 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
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