FAYETTEVILLE -- As Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema recruits closer toward the overall depth he craves, linebacker Martrell Spaight may revolutionize Bielema's traditional approach when it comes to recruiting junior college transfers.
Junior college transfers, particularly the majority who arrive as juniors, are recruited to provide immediate help. So a redshirting junior college transfer inevitably means something is amiss. Either an injury or being unable to cut it athletically and not ready to produce.
Spaight fit none of the above.
Spaight began the 2013 season healthy and, in retrospect, just a mite too good for his own good. He arrived from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College as a hard-hitting linebacker at a time when the Razorbacks lacked linebackers. Although the Hogs went just 3-9, Spaight -- whose teammates coined the term "Spaighted" for his hard hits in scrimmage -- helped with 22 tackles in nine games, missing three with injuries.
However, upon reviewing Spaight's 2013 season, Bielema laments not going against the grain and redshirting the North Little Rock native.
There is no telling what Spaight's production would be as a fifth-year senior in 2015 given his banner year so far in 2014. In eight starts at weakside linebacker, Spaight is Arkansas' leading tackler with 72 (33 more than any other Razorback), which includes five tackles behind the line for minus-14 yards. He has intercepted 1 pass and returned it 30 yards, recovered 1 fumble, broke up 2 passes and is credited with 2 quarterback hurries.
Spaight had the physical ability last year.
The mental discipline to achieve it all inched through a 2013 transition has since mushroomed.
"When the NFL scouts flip on the film they notice No. 47," Bielema said. "One of them, a guy I have known for a long time, said, 'Man, that kid is like a different person. What happened?' I said, 'He grew up.' Now he's locked in."
Linebackers coach Randy Shannon said Spaight not only trained as hard as anybody in the offseason but met with him more often and watched more film.
Punctuality, an issue so vexing for Spaight that Bielema said he even consulted Spaight's father, became cured like clockwork and he's shown more accountability in the classroom.
"Now he's set to graduate, playing lights out and giving it everything you can imagine," Bielema said.
Now senior All-SEC defensive end Trey Flowers no longer is a stand-alone example for young Razorbacks defenders.
Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith even charged Spaight with presenting the keys to victory speech before Arkansas defeated Alabama-Birmingham last week and lauded him before and after the game.
"I gave a reference to him during my talk with our players yesterday," Bielema said Monday. "Even if you're not playing linebacker, you should pay attention to how Martrell Spaight's living life. He's on top of everything."
Bielema just wishes he had enabled Spaight to be on top of it for another year. But because of Spaight, maybe the next Arkansas junior college signee who fits that "better wait until next year" mode will get that year to wait.
Maybe they should call that "Spaighted" too.
Sports on 10/29/2014