Derby officially moves to TE

[ChitownHawg]

I wouldn't mind him being Qin coach, if he's healthy.

I believe Joe is healthy and redshirted, so he should have one more year of eligibility. 

[secneahog]

Bielema has had success moving guys from other positions to te. I don't see why derby can't be good at te. It's all going to depend on if derby embraces the position, and it looks like he has.

One thing for sure he has the size, and knows what the Tes are supposed to do in the plays.

[ChitownHawg]

Bielema has had success moving guys from other positions to te. I don't see why derby can't be good at te. It's all going to depend on if derby embraces the position, and it looks like he has.

One thing for sure he has the size, and knows what the Tes are supposed to do in the plays.

After last year being the year of drops - he seems to have good hands as well.

[secneahog]

After last year being the year of drops - he seems to have good hands as well.

True. Being able to get almost everyone back is going to be outstanding for the offense.
Derby being a senior he should make the move very smoothly.

[trashcan maN]

After last year being the year of drops - he seems to have good hands as well.

The blocking piece might be the tricky part. It sounds like he runs and catches well.

[ChitownHawg]

The blocking piece might be the tricky part. It sounds like he runs and catches well.

I don't think I have heard the coaches mention the blocking part. I wonder how he did?

[MuskogeeHogFan]

I don't think I have heard the coaches mention the blocking part. I wonder how he did?

I thought that either one of the coaches or someone who had watched practice, said that he was very physical in his blocking technique? Can't remember who it was, but I could have sworn that I read that or heard it in a presser.

[secneahog]

He for sure has the size. Did he plat te in high school?  I know he was projected to be a good te in college.

[ChitownHawg]

I thought that either one of the coaches or someone who had watched practice, said that he was very physical in his blocking technique? Can't remember who it was, but I could have sworn that I read that or heard it in a presser.

That is good to hear. If he was recruited as a potential TE out of high school he must have played it some where.

[Mike Irwin]

The blocking piece might be the tricky part. It sounds like he runs and catches well.

Bielema said that Derby blocked surprisingly well. However those that saw the scrimmage can tell you route running was his best quality. He managed to get completely wide open a couple of times.

[OldCoot]

This is great to hear.  Thank FC!

Not sure if you know this, but Derby was a 4-star athlete out of high school.  He had offers from Alabama, Florida and just about everyone else, but supposedly chose Iowa because they said he could play QB.  Unfortunately for AJ, he's an awful QB and most everyone was recruiting him as a TE or LB.

Is he still a walk-on?  What year is he in?

[OldCoot]

I'm sure you've heard the presser after you created this thread, but BB let Duwop choose between trying out S or WR for a couple of weeks. BB thought Duwop would be a better safety but that WR would be an easier transition.

He made it pretty clear Duwop wouldn't play QB here and that he really hoped he would come around and agree to try another position permanently. He said that if it didn't work out, he would do his best to find a better situation for him somewhere else.

Didn't he just sign??

[oxbaker]

If true, Bielema must feel good about his QB situation.  I thought the Derby kid looked like a pretty good QB last year just needed more snaps.  May end up being a bad move by BB in the long run.

[BorderPatrol]

Oh, joy.

bp

[thebignasty]

If true, Bielema must feel good about his QB situation.  I thought the Derby kid looked like a pretty good QB last year just needed more snaps.  May end up being a bad move by BB in the long run.

+10000000 AJ was the answer at qb. Can't believe CBB and Chaney don't see it. We need to fire Chaney and hire a guy with real qb coaching experience like David Lee.

[tophawg19]

looks like he is doing well at TE and we had a need there . He has great hands and good speed . could be  An ALL -AMERICAN  candidate by the end of the year. As a TE he has a chance for the NFL , as a qb , no way

[Wildhog]

All American AJ Derby coached by All-World recruiter Barry Lunney.

Solid.

[oxbaker]

+10000000 AJ was the answer at qb. Can't believe CBB and Chaney don't see it. We need to fire Chaney and hire a guy with real qb coaching experience like David Lee.

Exactly.  Pretty sure this guy is not the answer for arkansas.  Absolutely no calf development on this kid.

[Hogvillage Idiot]

If true, Bielema must feel good about his QB situation.  I thought the Derby kid looked like a pretty good QB last year just needed more snaps.  May end up being a bad move by BB in the long run.

I'm sure Bielema does feel good about QB situation and probably not as good on the TE position.  Therefore, the move makes total sense.

[thebignasty]

looks like he is doing well at TE and we had a need there . He has great hands and good speed . could be  An ALL -AMERICAN  candidate by the end of the year. As a TE he has a chance for the NFL , as a qb , no way

We're going to have like 4 AA tight ends.

[thebignasty]

Two words for ya. It's not Chaney.

You're at about 3.5.

[thebignasty]

Exactly.  Pretty sure this guy is not the answer for arkansas.  Absolutely no calf development on this kid.

AJ Derby is the quarterback most suited to get us into 4 down situations where Bert ' s uncommon approach really sets us apart.

[tophawg19]

We're going to have like 4 AA tight ends.

Yep I expect AJ  to break all of Keith Jackson SR.'s TE records at Arkansas

[870hogfan]

AJ Derby is the quarterback most suited to get us into 4 down situations where Bert ' s uncommon approach really sets us apart.

Who is Bert?

[thebignasty]

Who is Bert?

Friend of Ernie

[twistitup]

Friend of Ernie

....and Ernie is the father of AJ?

[swinesation]

Is it true that Alex Collins came in overweight!

[hogfan14]

Surely this cant be serious...Derby had 2 turnovers in less than a quarter against Auburn last year.

[Piggfoot]

Oh well I'll stir the pot. I was told this weekend that in the opinion of an Arkansas coach that Derby would be one of our top two tight ends this year. It didn't come from Bielema.

[ricepig]

Oh well I'll stir the pot. I was told this weekend that in the opinion of an Arkansas coach that Derby would be one of our top two tight ends this year. It didn't come from Bielema.

Soccer coach??

[Piggfoot]

Soccer coach??

That's not even Lunny!!! Excuse me I meant Funny!!!!

[Fayettechill14]

Oddly enough, this sounds like exactly what so many on this board have been calling for and predicting...from Austin Allen being the backup right down the line to Mitchell being moved to another position.

So simple a caveman could do (predict) it...

I doubt anyone actually thought that Derby was a long-term solution over AA. In hindsight (since we went 3-9), it was probably smart to redshirt AA last year, as it appears unlikely he would have been good enough to win 3 more games for us. Now he's got 4 years of eligibility.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Oh well I'll stir the pot. I was told this weekend that in the opinion of an Arkansas coach that Derby would be one of our top two tight ends this year. It didn't come from Bielema.

Good for him! I hope he is.

[twistitup]

I doubt anyone actually thought that Derby was a long-term solution over AA. In hindsight (since we went 3-9), it was probably smart to redshirt AA last year, as it appears unlikely he would have been good enough to win 3 more games for us. Now he's got 4 years of eligibility.

We have no idea what would have happened last year if we win the Rutgers game. I don't like throw away seasons- last year could have been better, much better.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

We have no idea what would have happened last year if we win the Rutgers game. I don't like throw away seasons- last year could have been better, much better.

Just keep in mind that redshirting a kid isn't neccessarily throwing away a season, it can and has often times turned out to be an investment in the future.

[twistitup]

Just keep in mind that redshirting a kid isn't neccessarily throwing away a season, it can and has often times turned out to be an investment in the future.

When has a 3 win season become a good future investment? If recruits are the currency, we lost our arse last year.

Redshirts are impressive on paper, but the actual game is played on grass...what gives?

[Deep Shoat]

When has a 3 win season become a good future investment? If recruits are the currency, we lost our arse last year.

Redshirts are impressive on paper, but the actual game is played on grass...what gives?

It didn't really seem to hurt our recruiting, considering we were right about where we usually are, historically.

And of course, d/t the quality of Linemen, I think it was better than usual.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

When has a 3 win season become a good future investment? If recruits are the currency, we lost our arse last year.

Redshirts are impressive on paper, but the actual game is played on grass...what gives?

Since when is there a guarantee that it would have turned out otherwise had AA not been R/S? I would imagine that was considered when the decision was made to keep him on sideline.

[gmarv]

.i say if the coaches can,t see that derby should start over hh
they must be crazy he has had 3 practices there right.
why its kind of like not starting our freshmen  qbs  over ba.

[acey33]

I think it's a good move with Derby moving to TE that way BA and other qb's are getting more reps in practice and I hope Mitchell hangs in there and plays wr if needed or goes to the defense and play safety or corner...well maybe next year if he stays

[Hawgzinbowlz]

During the scrimmage I specifically watched AJ on several plays, for both blocking and route running. The plays that I watched were mostly blocking assignments for AJ and he kept his feet moving, kept his hands engaged and his defensive opponent did not penetrate for pressure on the QB or RB. Several nice catch's and one high profile miss (wide open, by 8-10 yds., for a TD, and the ball was laid right on his hands) gotta have a short memory on that one.
By Auburn I expect him to consistently be in the TE rotation. A quality addition to the position.

" GO HOGS "

[urkillnmesmalls]

I think he ran anchor leg in the 4x400 his senior year

Does that matter though if they came in dead last?   

[ricepig]

Surprised this isn't getting more traction.  This isn't a good sign for a position that's already talent-thin.  I thought Derby would almost certainly be in the QB mix in the fall.  Guess that could still be the case, but the move doesn't suggest that.

TE isn't talent thin, just numbers wise. As far as QB, this just lets the better talent get more reps, but you knew that anyway.