FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Facing growing challenges on offense, Arkansas’ interim head coach Bobby Petrino is pushing tight ends Rohan Jones and Jaden Platt to have a bigger presence in the passing game.
After two weeks of limited output, Petrino emphasized the group needs to make plays, convert third downs and provide more consistency.
In Arkansas’ 56-13 loss to Notre Dame, Jones and Platt each had just one catch for 23 yards.
Against Tennessee, the tight ends combined for two touches. Jones had one catch for nine yards and a touchdown, and Platt recorded one for six yards.
“This weekend’s matchup with Texas A&M holds a little more significance for Platt,” Petrino said, noting that Platt spent time at Texas A&M before transferring to Arkansas. “He was always one of my favorites when I was there. He’s extremely intelligent and extremely talented and one of the most humble young men I’ve ever met.”
Limited production despite potential
Senior tight end Rohan Jones has shown flashes of big-play ability this season.
Despite just seven catches, he ranks third on the team in receiving yards with 229 and has scored three times.
Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Jaden Platt has 10 catches for 172 yards (17.2 average). A former Texas A&M player, Platt brings added storyline to the upcoming game.
Another option, senior tight end Andreas Paaske, had recorded just three catches for 27 yards and one touchdown before undergoing season-ending surgery for a back injury.
Petrino acknowledged the group’s recent struggles.
“We made some calls for them the other night. They got covered a little bit, one was maybe a PI,” he said. “We need those guys to be productive, catching the ball and running after the catch and making plays for us to be consistent and to convert third downs.”
Jones, for his part, said the tight ends try to make an impact even when targets are limited.
“Our whole group has been very consistent from the first game all the way down the line,” he said. “No matter who was in the game. I think we all do a good job when we go in there. The quarterback and Bobby Petrino. They see what we’re doing, and they just want to get us the ball more.”
Leadership, chemistry, and opportunities
Jones and Platt have pointed to quarterback Taylen Green as a key element in offense growth, crediting his leadership for chemistry across the offense.
Platt’s personal connection to Petrino adds another angle.
They maintained a relationship while Petrino was on the staff at Texas A&M, which factored in Platt’s decision to transfer to Arkansas.
With the Razorbacks in a four-game losing streak, the tight end position could be a source of renewed spark. Arkansas hosts No. 4 Texas A&M at Razorback Stadium at 2:30 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN.
If Jones and Platt can break free from coverage and become reliable options in the passing attack, Arkansas could gain critical flexibility and threat beyond its receivers and running backs.
Key takeaways
- Arkansas’ tight ends have been underutilized over the past two games, prompting coach intervention.
- Jones offers big-play upside; Platt brings history with Petrino and untapped capacity.
- With Paaske out, success at tight end could influence Arkansas’ offensive resilience moving forward.
