FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No Arkansas football player saw his stock rise more this spring than wide receiver Tyrone Broden, and the redshirt senior capped off his preseason with a terrific performance in Saturday's Red-White Game.

Broden made five catches for 60 yards and one touchdown as the Razorbacks treated the fans inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium to an impressive showing from the first-team offense.

Broden is entering his second year with Arkansas after transferring in from Bowling Green. The 6-foot-7 wide receiver fought injuries last offseason and never got rolling with former quarterback KJ Jefferson, finishing the 2023 campaign with just 15 catches for 109 yards.

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But according to head coach Sam Pittman, the slow start to his Razorbacks career is in the rear-view mirror.

"I think between Ronnie (Fouch), Broden and Bobby (Petrino), I think they have all really gotten confidence built into Tyrone," Pittman said. "He’s always been athletic, but I don’t know if he’s always thought he was a great receiver. I think some of the catches he made today proves that we need him."

Broden has shown a great chemistry with new quarterback Taylen Green all spring, and that duo connected for the first score of the spring game. Broden got free running a crossing route in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.

Three of his catches went for first downs, making catches both in traffic and showing his ability to get open down the field.

"He was definitely a real professional today and went out and had a really good day," Green said. "That’s what I'm most proud of. That’s what I love. And on the sidelines, just the camaraderie that we have. The ability to just relax and talk ball, that’s what I like."

The other top receiver, Andrew Armstrong, returned from an injury this week and was able to participate in the spring game. He made three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Last year, the wide receivers struggled to consistently get open. That should change with Broden's development and the arrival of Bobby Petrino.

And coming into the week, Broden's presence at the Red-White game was a question mark. The wide receiver has been away with the team dealing with a family issue over the past two weeks, but he returned Friday and was able to participate in the pre-game walkthrough, setting himself up for Saturday's success.

"He wanted to play and he’s got reasons why for some people in his family that he wanted to play for," Pittman said. "I thought it was really cool that he went out and had a good day."

Now, the hope is that a good day translates into a good season. Pittman expressed confidence after the Red-White game that this year's team is much-improved after the 4-8 disappointment of 2023.

If Pittman is proven to be correct, Broden will be a big factor.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football's Tyrone Broden makes huge leap in spring football