Greenlaw's emergence a welcome surprise

Arkansas freshman linebacker Dre Greenlaw makes a stop on Tennessee sophomore running back Jalen Hurd on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

— Only 366 days after he received an offer from Arkansas, Dre Greenlaw will go to Alabama as the Razorbacks’ starting weak-side linebacker.

The freshman safety-turned-linebacker from Fayetteville has even surprised himself while totaling 29 tackles through five games, including a team-high 10 in Arkansas’ 24-20 win over Tennessee last Saturday.

“I don’t think the coaches (expected it), either,” Greenlaw said. “Just coming in, kind of under-recruited and coming from a different position, I told myself in order to actually play here, I’m going to have to be physical.”

Greenlaw – who wasn’t offered by Arkansas until Oct. 9 last year – began the season as Brooks Ellis’ backup at weak-side linebacker. Two games into the season, though, Ellis moved to middle linebacker, opening up a starting spot for the freshman.

In his first start, Greenlaw had nine tackles against Texas Tech, followed by five against Texas A&M.

Despite making 24 tackles the last three weeks, linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves said he thinks Greenlaw can be better.

“He’s still a work-in-progress,” Hargreaves said. “He’s a young guy that’s still trying to figure it out. He’s doing a really good job in some areas, but he still has a lot of upside and a lot more getting better to do.”

During the Texas A&M game, Greenlaw was matched up with Josh Reynolds when he made the 63-yard reception that set up the Aggies’ game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Defensive coordinator Robb Smith said Greenlaw was upset after the game but bounced back well against Tennessee.

“He’s learning how to play at a high level,” Smith said. “I think we were all disappointed and I think the guys did a great job of rallying him back. He’ll be the first to admit it’s far from perfect, but…he played very well for us the other night.”

Greenlaw’s 29 tackles, which include two for loss, lead the SEC among freshmen.

His emergence has given Arkansas more flexibility at the linebacker position. The Razorbacks are thin at the position after Josh Williams broke his leg at Tennessee.

“(Dre) is flying around, making plays and that’s what we need at linebacker,” Ellis said. “He’s young and he’s going to make mistakes, but he’s getting there. It’s been fun to play next to him.”

The freshman got a taste of a road atmosphere in the SEC last week. He said he expects it to be more difficult in Alabama based on what he’s heard from his teammates and coaches.

“They were telling me that when you go there, it’s a lifetime experience,” Greenlaw said. “It’s going to be a little different than a lot of other places. The crowd is going to be crazy.”