ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-SEC TEAM

Senior LB Spaight, 123 stops, recognized

Arkansas linebacker Martrell Spaight (47) celebrates a defensive stop against Northern Illinois University in the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas players began talking about getting "Spaighted" when linebacker Martrell Spaight started delivering big hits during his first fall camp with the Razorbacks before the 2013 season.

Now, the rest of the SEC knows what it feels like to get hit by Spaight, a senior from North Little Rock.

Spaight, who leads the conference with 123 tackles, was acknowledged Monday when he was voted to the All-SEC first-team defense.

"I would've been more surprised if he didn't make it," Arkansas senior defensive end Trey Flowers said. "He's a big-time linebacker in this conference.

"If you didn't put him on there, I would've been mad."

Spaight was the only Razorback voted on the AP's All-SEC first team. Junior tailback Jonathan Williams and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Darius Philon made the second team.

Sophomore tight end Hunter Henry, from Pulaski Academy, Flowers and sophomore offensive linemen Denver Kirkland and Dan Skipper received honorable mention recognition.

Alabama receiver Amari Cooper was SEC offensive player of the year, Missouri end Shane Ray was defensive player of the year, Georgia tailback Nick Chubb was freshman of the year and Mississippi State's Dan Mullen was coach the year.

Cooper has 115 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns, Ray has 14 sacks, Chubb rushed 186 times for 1,281 yards and 12 touchdowns and Mullen led the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record and Orange Bowl berth.

Spaight, who transferred to Arkansas last year from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, was nowhere to be found on any All-SEC preseason teams after a junior season in which he had 22 tackles in nine games with one start. But he thrived in his second season with the Razorbacks, under first-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith.

Senior linebacker Braylon Mitchell said in fall camp he expected Spaight to have a breakout season after getting used to the SEC as a junior.

"One thing about is Spaight is he plays the game like his hair is on fire," Mitchell said in August. "Now that he knows what he's doing, he can still play with his hair on fire and actually be in the right positions to make plays."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said he believes Spaight deserves All-American recognition for what he has done this season.

Bielema raved about Spaight's work habits, even during one of Arkansas' open weeks, when Spaight was seen at the football offices watching game film.

"What college kid comes over and watches film on Saturday night at 7 o'clock?" Bielema said. "But Martrell Spaight does. I think that's an indicator of what he's all about."

Spaight is the first Razorback on the AP's first-team All-SEC defense since 2006, when linebacker Sam Olajubutu and defensive end Jamaal Anderson made it from the Razorbacks' SEC West title team.

"The guy's work ethic is amazing," Arkansas senior safety Alan Turner said of Spaight. "He's a real student of the game.

"Seeing him in the summer and fall, being in here constantly, I feel like he's the last player to leave each and every day. It just shows the effort he's putting in and how much it's helped him."

Spaight has 1 interception this season along with 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

"He tears it up on the field," Flowers said.

Philon has three fumble recoveries, including a touchdown against Northern Illinois, and leads SEC tackles with 10 1/2 tackles for lost yards.

"He's a big-time playmaker for this program," Flowers said.

Williams has 188 carries for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and 11 receptions for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns.

"He ran the ball well, he did a lot of things catching the ball and blocking," Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen said. "He was just an all-around great running back this year."

Flowers wasn't disappointed he didn't make the All-SEC first or second-team defenses.

"I don't play this game to get awards or get accolades," Flowers said. "I play this game to win and to put my family in the best position financially in the long run."

Arkansas senior offensive tackle Brey Cook said he was excited for Spaight to be recognized as an All-SEC first-teamer.

"We knew when he got here he was a talented football player," Cook said, "and I'm glad he's getting the recognition he deserves.

"That's very special what he did leading the SEC in tackles. He's a very physical guy. Those tackles, they hurt. I've been hit by Spaight before, and it's not fun."

Sports on 12/09/2014