FAYETTEVILLE -- Imagine the patience Deatrich Wise had to display for more than three seasons before the defensive end enjoyed a breakout year as an Arkansas Razorback.
Considered as a potential starter as a redshirt freshman in 2013 before suffering a knee injury, Wise made just two starts in 2013 and '14. But the fifth-year senior went on a rampage late in 2015, leading the SEC with eight sacks in conference games, to enter his final season on watch lists for three national awards.
Defensive ends glance
RETURNING STARTERS JaMichael Winston, Tevin Beanum
LOSSES Mitchell Loewen
WHO’S BACK Deatrich Wise, Karl Roesler, Brandon Lewis
WHO’S NEW McTelvin Agim, Randy Ramsey, Jonathan Marshall
WALK-ONS Elias Hale
ANALYSIS Wise’s strong finish in 2015 has turned the senior into Arkansas’ household name on the front four in SEC territory. Wise and Winston should provide good work at one end, with fellow senior Brandon Lewis serving as an X factor. On the other side, Roesler, Agim and Ramsey have gotten a lot of work with 2015 starter Tevin Beanum missing time in the spring and summer camp to deal with off-the-field issues. Arkansas coaches have the flexibility to move the ends inside, looking for favorable matchups. Ramsey converted from linebacker and provides an intriguing pass-rush specialist.
Wise endured a long road full of injuries and other distractions between signing as a Razorback and shining as a Razorback.
"You know, my father always told me be anxious for nothing, but prepare in supplication," Wise said at SEC media days. "Just being patient is something that I'm real good at. I knew my time was coming soon. I had to keep on working and keep believing in myself that once I became fully healthy, I could produce on the field."
The 6-5, 271-pounder frustrated Coach Bret Bielema for parts of his first two seasons, as Wise juggled football with fraternity life and an itch to compete in the discus and shot put for the track team.
"To me, he had a lot of really good things going, but he didn't have a GPA," Bielema said. "He didn't have a lot of things going in the right direction.
"I sat him down and just simply said, 'Hey, do you want to be just involved in a lot of different things or do you want to be great at a few things?' We talked about taking a few things off his plate.
"We took track out of his life until he got a better GPA. The result is he could probably be one of the most premier lineman."
Wise had one start and 17 tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2013. In 2014, Trey Flowers and JaMichael Winston were the primary starters at end, and Wise managed one start and 13 tackles.
Everything seemed to fall into place for Wise about midway through last season. He notched the first forced fumble of his career in Arkansas' 24-20 victory at Tennessee on Oct. 3, then posted his first sack of the year at Alabama the next week. Wise racked up seven sacks in the last four games, helping the Razorbacks go 6-1 down the stretch.
"My confidence level is high, but I'm still hungry and I keep a humble tone. I'm very hungry and very excited about everything," Wise said.
"I think the sky is the limit for Deatrich having a good season this year," defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter said.
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper said he and Wise, who got into a couple of heated exchanges last week, made a pact before camp to go hard every play against each other.
"So when draft day comes, we'll have done everything we can to help each other," Skipper said. "When you get two high-profile guys that really love the game, sometimes you're going to get that type of stuff."
Skipper said Wise ranks at the top of the best defensive ends he's faced.
"He's got a unique mix of speed and power that not a lot of guys have," he said. "When he goes to play the run, sometimes you just can't move him. At the same time, he can line up and really get after the passer, too. He's just got some pretty special qualities."
Wise is now a sage voice in the position room and one of the strongest in the defensive huddle.
"Deatrich has been here a long time, and everybody really responds to him," senior tackle Taiwan Johnson said. "Not only the way he speaks, but the way he plays. Deatrich plays hard on every play, and I think that rubs off on guys."
Said linebacker Brooks Ellis: "Every play he's the one saying, 'Let's go!' He's the one screaming, motivating us and encouraging us, and he always has a lot of energy and is running to the ball wherever it goes. He's a really big leader for us."
Wise leads a deep group at end. He and fellow seniors Winston and Brandon Lewis and freshman Jonathan Marshall play one end, while junior Karl Roesler, freshman McTelvin Agim, sophomore Randy Ramsey and returning starter Tevin Beanum are at the rush end.
Roesler has held the top spot throughout camp while Beanum takes time off to deal with a personal issue.
"Karl is always in the right spot, and he's always doing what you ask him to do, and he's physically talented," defensive line coach Rory Segrest said.
"Just having McTelvin Agim in spring football makes a big difference in depth," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "We moved Randy Ramsey [from linebacker]. Kind of an unsung hero around here has been Karl Roesler. Whenever we've been in trouble and needed to plug a guy in, it's been Karl."
Segrest said the numbers at defensive ends provide lots of options.
"We've got a lot of guys who can do some great things and have played a lot of ball for us," he said.
Sports on 08/17/2016