FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Cameron Bryan wanted nothing more than to get on the field for his senior season at Arkansas.
As the backup kicker to Zach Hocker, Bryan knew his chances of seeing action were slim at best. So, rather than using his feet to kick, he figured he’d use them for another purpose — kickoff coverage.
Blessed as one of the fastest and most agile members of the Razorbacks, the 5-foot-10, 176-pound former soccer standout approached new Arkansas coach John L. Smith during the spring about trying out for the new role.
The results surprised even the open-minded Smith, and Bryan made his coach proud during a season-opening win over Jacksonville State — routinely beating his teammates down the field during kickoffs. Bryan didn’t record a tackle during the game, but his performance matched that of his efforts in practice and earned him another chance this week when the No. 8 Razorbacks host Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.
