Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Fernando Carmona Jr. has no illusions about life in the trenches — and he’s not afraid to share a little bit of inside football reality.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior was a guest on The Paul Finebaum Show on Monday, and during the conversation he pulled back the curtain on a truth most fans might suspect but rarely hear players openly admit: there’s some level of holding on every single play.
“There’s definitely holding each and every play,” Carmona told Finebaum, not even pausing to sugarcoat it. “But I’m also a believer that if you’re not trying to cheat, you’re not trying to try. As an offensive lineman, you’ve got to hold, you’ve got to tug a little bit — but you have to do it in a way where the refs don’t see it.”
He went on to explain that this isn’t unique to him or Arkansas. In his view, it’s a universal truth of football. “All offensive linemen can attest that it happens each and every play. It’s just about if you’re sneaky with it, and if you’re able to get your hands inside, they won’t call it.”
It’s a candid comment that will probably make some fans chuckle and others raise an eyebrow. In the NFL, it’s a running joke that “you could call holding on every snap,” but to hear a major SEC lineman say it outright adds a dose of honesty to the cliché.
A Unit Built to Dominate
The Razorbacks’ offensive line is projected to be one of the team’s biggest strengths this fall, both literally and figuratively. Three of the four returning starters on offense are linemen — a continuity that’s rare in modern college football where transfer portal churn is constant. The lone returning starter outside the trenches is quarterback Taylen Green.
Carmona is expected to be the anchor for Arkansas’ front five. He’s coming off a 2024 season in which he started all 13 games, helping the Hogs average an impressive 459.5 yards of total offense per game — good for 10th in the nation. That balance came from an attack that could both run effectively and give the quarterback time to operate, a testament to the work done up front.
His performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. USA Today named him to its preseason All-SEC First Team, while the conference media voted him to the All-SEC Second Team. Those honors add to the growing recognition Carmona has received since transferring to Fayetteville after three seasons with San Jose State.
Still Hungry to Improve
Even with accolades rolling in, Carmona insists he’s far from a finished product. The veteran lineman says he’s using fall camp to refine key aspects of his game, particularly in pass protection.
“There’s still lots of learning I had to do — just kind of with my steps and what I can do and what I can’t do,” Carmona said. “I feel like in the run game, I’ve kind of figured it out, but in the pass game, there’s still kind of a long way I need to go.”
He explained that August practices are the perfect environment to sharpen technique and iron out mistakes. “That’s what fall camp is for,” he said. “We’ve got this month to really iron out all the errors and all that good stuff, and so I think I’m almost there, but I just kind of got to clean up that passing game, and I think I’ll be ready to go.”
His self-awareness and willingness to discuss areas for improvement suggest a player who isn’t content to coast on talent or past performance. For Arkansas, that attitude could be just as valuable as his physical presence on the field.
From California to the SEC Spotlight
Carmona’s path to becoming one of the SEC’s top linemen has been unconventional. A California native, he began his college career at San Jose State, where he developed into a dependable starter in the Mountain West Conference. His decision to transfer to Arkansas before the 2024 season was seen as a major addition to the Razorbacks’ offensive line, and his immediate impact validated the move.
In his first SEC season, he quickly adapted to the conference’s speed and physicality — two areas where even experienced transfers can struggle. His ability to handle top-tier defensive lines week after week made him a reliable fixture at left tackle.
That experience should serve him well this year as he leads a veteran group tasked with protecting Green and opening holes for a deep stable of running backs.
The Mental Side of the Game
While Carmona’s comments about “cheating” will grab headlines, they also reveal something about the mental chess match that takes place in the trenches. Offensive linemen are trained to operate on the edge of the rulebook — using hand placement, leverage, and subtle holds to neutralize defenders without drawing flags.
In that sense, his remarks weren’t about breaking the rules recklessly, but about understanding the art of blocking. Knowing where the line is — and how close you can get without crossing it — is a skill that comes with experience.
“It’s just about if you’re sneaky with it,” Carmona reiterated. That sneaky element is really about being technically sound. Get your hands inside, keep your feet moving, maintain balance — and what might look like a hold to the untrained eye becomes a legal block in the officials’ view.
Looking Ahead to the Season
Arkansas will open its 2025 campaign on August 30 against Alabama A&M in Fayetteville. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. ET, with the game airing on the SEC Network. It’s an opportunity for the Razorbacks to set the tone for the season and for Carmona to show just how dominant this offensive line can be.
While the early part of the schedule features games the Hogs will be favored to win, the SEC grind will test Carmona and his fellow linemen against some of the most talented defensive fronts in the country.
If Arkansas is going to make noise in the conference, the offensive line will need to pave the way — literally — for the team’s playmakers. And if Carmona has anything to say about it, they’ll do so with a combination of power, precision, and just enough “sneakiness” to keep defenders guessing.
