In 2013, A.J. Derby served as the backup to starting quarterback Brandon Allen. A year later, it appears Derby is poised to be on the receiving end of Allen’s pass attempts.
It was revealed Thursday that Derby, entering his final season of eligibility, has been moved from quarterback to tight end. The move doesn’t appear to come because of Derby’s struggles at the position -- ArkansasNews.com wrote that "[t]he position switch came after Derby turned in one of his best scrimmage performances” -- but rather the improvement of Austin Allen.
Barring injury or regression, it now appears the redshirt freshman Allen will exit spring and enter summer camp as the No. 2 quarterback behind the starting Allen. And, yes, the two Allens are brothers.
The 6-5, 246-pound Derby, whose brother was a tight end at Iowa, transferred to the Razorbacks from the JUCO ranks in December of 2012. He transferred out of the Iowa program in the January prior to that.
When Brandon Mitchell left the Hogs in May of 2013, Derby slid into the No. 2 spot behind Allen in the quarterback pecking order. As Allen’s primary backup, Derby completed 19-of-36 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He started one game in the place of the injured starter.