FAYETTEVILLE -- Jeremiah Ledbetter is making a quick transition from defensive end to tackle judging by his production in the season's first scrimmage Saturday.
Ledbetter had 3 tackles for 16 yards in losses -- including 2 sacks -- among his 4 total tackles while working mostly against sophomore guard Hjalte Froholdt, who moved to left guard this spring after playing nose tackle last season.
Fourth-year Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said the staff hopes Ledbetter's move inside will help duplicate some of the penetration and explosive plays Darius Philon made at defensive tackle in 2014.
"He's looked very good all week," Bielema said. "He's a very dynamic player."
JaMichael Winston and T.J. Smith combined for a 9-yard sack, Deatrich Wise had a 6-yard sack and McTelvin Agim had a 5-yard sack.
Agim, a freshman from Hope, could have had another sack but was clearly held on the play.
"Sosa's got some ability, man," Bielema said, using Agim's nickname. "You could tell he was very explosive."
Wise focused
Senior Deatrich Wise has previously drawn criticism from Bret Bielema for a lack of focus, but that is no longer is an issue.
Bielema said Wise is practicing better than he's ever seen.
"If I get everybody to go at the tempo that Deatrich's going, we'd be doing a lot of really good things," Bielema said.
Top offensive plays
The best catch from Saturday came during 7-on-7 work, as redshirt freshman tight end C.J. O'Grady worked down field and jumped in traffic to bring in a 25-yard reception from Rafe Peavey.
A few plays later, fellow freshman Deon Stewart made a strong catch for a long gain.
Defensive gems
During 7-on-7 passing work, linebacker Randy Ramsey dropped into coverage against C.J. O'Grady and showed good body control to twist and intercept a pass from Rafe Peavey.
Moments later, cornerback Ryan Pulley got a strong break on a pass and closed quickly for a break-up on the right edge.
Award time
Sebastian Tretola and McTelvin Agim weren't able to attend the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on Feb. 11, so David Bazzel, the club president and a former Razorbacks linebacker, traveled to Fayetteville and presented their awards on Saturday.
Tretola, a second-team All-American guard last season, received the Willie Roaf Award as the top college offensive lineman in Arkansas. Agim, a freshman end from Hope who enrolled at Arkansas for the spring semester, was presented with the Dan Hampton Award as the top high school defensive lineman in Arkansas.
Tretola received a trophy that's 2-feet-tall and weighs 30 pounds. Agim's plaque is 3-feet-tall and weighs 8 pounds.
"I don't believe in small awards," Bazzel said. "When somebody wins a trophy or a plaque and they display it, I want people to notice it."
New protections
Bret Bielema said new offensive line coach Kurt Anderson has added new protections to the kicking game.
"The last two years we really had some dysfunction on the PAT protection and to me it's one of the more basic elements of the game," Bielema said. "We changed our alignments, stances and technique."
Injury report
Receiver Keon Hatcher (foot soreness) and nose guard Taiwan Johnson (ankle) were held out of Saturday's practice.
Players who went through drills but didn't scrimmage and won't have contact this spring included receiver Drew Morgan, tailback Rawleigh Williams III, linebacker Josh Williams and cornerback D.J. Dean.
No players appeared to be injured during the scrimmage.
Big hit
Sophomore safety Santos Ramirez is known for being one of the best hitters on the team, but he only achieved a tie at best during the loudest pop of the day.
Damon "Duwop" Mitchell sprung free around left end on a play Bret Bielema said new offensive line coach Kurt Anderson brought to the program and at the end of the 32-yard run down the sideline, Mitchell leaned in and delivered a big blow of his own as Ramirez bore down to make the tackle.
On target
Cole Hedlund, Adam McFain and Lane Saling combined to go 6 of 6 on field goals before the scrimmage.
Hedlund hit from 32, 37 and 48 yards. McFain made his kicks from 32 and 38 yards and Saling connected from 30 yards.
Bret Bielema said Hedlund hasn't missed during the first week of spring.
"We're going to do some things to kind of stress them a little bit more, I think, as the spring goes on," Bielema said. "But I'm very impressed with Cole. The other guys hit it well today as well."
Baker booming
Senior Toby Baker looks set to retain the punting job he won last season.
Baker, who averaged 41.2 yards on 43 punts last season, was booming the ball Saturday while redshirt freshman Blake Johnson struggled with distance on a few of his kicks.
Baker averaged 44.7 yards on his six punts on Saturday, while Johnson averaged 37 yards on six punts.
Sports on 04/03/2016