I spoke with former Arkansas free safety Rashaad Johnson a few minutes ago, and he gave me some specifics about his future plans.

  He said he has decided to transfer to Northeastern State, an NCAA Division II in Tahlequah, Okla. He said he has already enrolled at NSU, and will start taking classes this spring. The senior will be eligible to play immediately for the RiverHawks.

  “I just felt like it was necessary for me (to leave Arkansas),” Johnson said. “Some things happened, and it’d just be better if I went to another school.”

  Well, there you go. Hope that answers any questions people might have about Johnson’s plans.

This won’t come across as shocking news, but two more Arkansas football players won’t be back.

Arkansas has confirmed that running back Chip Gregory and safety Rashaad Johnson have been released from their scholarships.

Gregory spent the first part of his career at linebacker, but moved to running back when coach Bobby Petrino arrived. He never panned out at the position last season and spent most of the year on the scout team. Johnson played in 11 games, started two times last season and compiled 20 tackles and an interception. But Johnson did not play in the final two game. Arkansas had said it was for personal reasons.

Those two join quarterback Nathan Dick and tight end Andrew Davie as players that won’t be returning to the program next season. Dick has decided to transfer to Central Arkansas. Davie has declared for the NFL Draft.

Arkansas got on the scoreboard with a big play a few minutes ago. The problem is, South Carolina just answered with a big play of its own.

Quarterback Casey Dick threw a 70-yard touchdown bomb to receiver Jarius Wright to help the Razorbacks pull to within 10-7. It seemed like a big moment for the Razorbacks, who had trouble doing anything. But Dick hit Wright in stride and the Arkansas sideline erupted. It was the longest touchdown pass of Dick’s career.

But the Gamecocks just answered with the longest pass play of their season. Quarterback Chris Smelley threw a pass to tight end Jared Cook, who turned it upfield and raced 66 yards for a score. There was some bad tackling on the play from safety Rashaad Johnson. He had a chance, but didn’t get it done.

That makes it 17-7 here in the second quarter.

There’s roughly 45 minutes until kickoff, but we have some injury news we can share.

Defensive end Adrian Davis, offensive tackle Ray Dominguez and offensive guard Grant Cook are all sitting on the bench right now in their jerseys, watching the Razorbacks warm up. Those three, it appears, won’t be available for today’s game. Unless they’re pulling an elaborate trick on Tulsa. Maybe that’s it.

Look for Damario Ambrose to start at defensive end, Grant Freeman to start at tackle and DeMarcus Love to start at guard. In addition, Rashaad Johnson will likely start at free safety in place of Elton Ford, who is out with a neck injury.

We’ll see how much the missing players affect the Razorbacks today.