Copyright Arkansas Online
FAYETTEVILLE -- Rohan Jones only needed three catches Oct. 25 to achieve a feat not accomplished by a University of Arkansas tight end since Hunter Henry in 2015. Jones' 127 receiving yards in a 33-24 loss to Auburn last week gave him multiple games with 100-plus this season. He didn't reach the end zone, but Henry pitched in a day later -- unofficially National Tight Ends Day -- to score a touchdown for the New England Patriots. Jones only needed two catches to hit 102 yards Sept. 20 at Memphis. His 62-yard touchdown grab gave Arkansas a 7-0 lead 70 seconds into the 32-31 loss. In 2015, Henry needed 8 catches for 117 yards in a 16-12 loss to Toledo on Sept. 12, then 7 grabs for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 51-50 loss to Mississippi State on Nov. 21. Jones has 36 fewer catches than O'Mega Blake's team-high 48, but the senior makes his count. Jones is second on the team with 408 receiving yards, and his average of 34 yards per catch is more than double that of any Razorback with more than one reception this season. "The ball is in the air, and I'm like, 'Damn, I've got to come down with this one,' " Jones said Wednesday on "Razorback Football Live" radio show. "I'm just running, I'm running. I kind of close my eyes. I'm like, 'Oh, I got it!' ... It's like you're a kid in the backyard running around with a football." Jones' 183 yards after the catch are second to Blake's 222. "He's fast, like, don't sleep on Rohan," cornerback Kani Walker said. "Rohan can slide." Among Razorbacks with 10-plus catches, tight end Jaden Platt is second to Jones with a 16-yard average. If Arkansas' game against Mississippi State (4-4, 0-4 SEC), set for 3 p.m. Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, is similar to last year's 58-25 win in Starkville, Miss., the team's tight ends could be in store for high production. Luke Hasz and Andreas Paaske caught two touchdowns apiece in last year's win. With Hasz transferring to Ole Miss in the offseason and Paaske lost to a season-ending surgery, Jones and Platt -- transfers from Montana State and Texas A&M, respectively -- took over the top tight end responsibilities. Arkansas is coming off a season-low 331 yards against Auburn and could use the duo's volume. Jones is from Montreal and began his career with Maine in 2022-23. "My mom tries to come down as much as possible," he said. "I have a village behind me back home, definitely paying attention and watching every game. It's an honor to be able to do that for them." Jones' first catch against Auburn went for 41 yards to reach opposing territory. Arkansas punted on that drive, but his second catch for 36 yards led to the team's second touchdown; running back Braylen Russell ran it in from the Auburn 2. His third catch against Auburn, the longest at 50 yards, set up a short field goal. In addition to his three receiving touchdowns, Jones contributed a 5-yard rushing score at Memphis. "I think my favorite moment with Rohan was Memphis, when he did his Kevin Gates celebration," slot receiver Raylen Sharpe said Tuesday. "I didn't think he was going to do that. Just certain things, man, you just don't know what's going to happen next. ... (The tight ends) will put a smile on your face. You don't know what they're going to say, to be honest. "They're just good people to be around." In addition to coming up with touchdowns celebrations -- Platt has one receiving -- the duo also has to worry about pass protection, run-blocking, running routes and making catches. Platt's first touchdown as a Razorback was a diving grab in the back corner of the end zone Oct. 18 in a 45-42 loss to his former school. "We ask them to do so much; it's a very difficult position," Arkansas interim Coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday. "(Jones) touched on that, too. How much he and Platt spend time together working on it and understanding. They both do certain things well. They both do certain things differently. I think it's been a really good combination for us." Matt Byrne is the Bob Holt Razorback Reporter, named in honor of the longtime reporter who covered University of Arkansas sports. This position is funded by the ADG Community Journalism Project.
