HOOVER, Ala. — It has been an eventful two weeks for Arkansas’ Trey Flowers.
The senior defensive end was not only one of three players to represent the Razorbacks at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., but he was also named to three major college football award watch lists.
Flowers was named to the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists. He was also named a second-team All-SEC defensive end by the media at SEC Media Days.
Despite the recognition, which he said he usually hears about from Twitter, Flowers said he knows he’ll still have to come out and perform on the field.
“It’s preseason,” Flowers said. “It’s all about what you’re going to do this season. I’m honored to be on those type of lists, but I just see it as a stepping stone of what I’ve been doing the past three years, but I still have to take care of business this year.”
The 2014 season will be Flowers' first playing without All-SEC defensive lineman Chris Smith, who graduated from Arkansas and was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Last season, the tandem combined to pile up 80 tackles, 25 of which were tackles for a loss. Flowers lead the team with 13.5 tackles for a loss, while Smith led the team with 8.5 sacks.
“He’s a big strong guy that comes off the ball fast.” Flowers said. “I just look at his talents and see how I can expand on my arsenal.”
While Flowers said not having Smith would be tough, he believes the hole can be filled by young guys such as Deatrich Wise, Jr.
“Obviously (Smith) is a great talent on the other side, but we have young guys that are able to step in on the other side,” Flowers said. “We’ll most definitely miss him, but hopefully our young guys will make me not miss him as much.”