Ramirez focused on big play rather than big hit this spring

Arkansas safety Santos Ramirez returns an interception for a touchdown during a game against Florida on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas junior strong safety Santos Ramirez had some big plays and big hits last year, but also some big busts and missed tackles.

He’s focused on getting more of the former two than the latter pair this spring.

“Mental toughness, playing through injuries, my run angles and tackling in the open field,” Ramirez said of things he has been working on the past four weeks. “I feel like throughout this whole spring that I have accomplished that.

“I haven’t missed many tackles, I am working on my run angles, playing more smarter out there and communicating and just making the game come easier to me.”

Ramirez (6-2, 205 pounds) had 43 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass break ups, an interception and several big hits this spring. He also has given up a few deep balls and bounced off ball carriers while trying to make a last ditch tackle in the secondary.

“I am trying to make sure each and every day that I am a sure tackler, making sure I am wrapping up, creating more turnovers, punching at the ball, just trying to be an all-around safety now,” Ramirez said.

“Last year, I was mainly trying to knock out ball carriers, wasn’t wrapping up and taking bad angles, which put me out of position a lot.

“I watched film and this spring I really focused on getting bettering those aspects that is going to take my game to a whole new level.”

He is happy that secondary coach Paul Rhoads is also the defensive coordinator now.

“I still think that regardless of whether Coach Rhoads was our DB coach or our defensive coordinator, that you could tell Coach Rhoads was a leader and had command in the authority of our calls,” Ramirez said.

“But now as our DC, I feel like all the players embrace that and he is genuine with us. Not only he tell us about the defense and what he calls, but he allows us to understand it by explaining it to is.

“We love that as players because we want to keep everything as simple as possible and as the new DC with the 3-4, Coach Rhoads is going to get us as right as possible.”

Ramirez admits that spring practice - which is in its fifth week and concludes with Red-White game Saturday at noon - is getting a bit old.

“Yes, it’s getting long, but at the same time, I love every minute of it,” Ramirez said. “I love every minute of it. I love what we are doing out here, I love the 3-4 defense, I am just having fun out here as long as I can.

“I am glad it is getting over with physically, but at the same time I still love the game of football.”

Ramirez has been working at strong safety throughout this spring after starting his career at cornerback before settling in at safety.

“I have been at strong the whole spring and right now that is the spot that I have solidified,” Ramirez said. “They know I love it and I don’t think I am move from there anytime soon.”

Ramirez said he thinks strong safety suits him best.

“When I first got here I played corner obviously and I have got pretty good cover skills, man cover skills as well as good intelligence of the defense,” Ramirez said.

“You have got to be all-around a little bit, playing in the box, you have got to make sure you are out there covering those slot receivers and things like that and I guess they feel like I am the best fit for that as well. Just feel like that is why I am solidified at strong.”

Josh Liddell and De’Andre Coley have been working at free safety and strong safety, as well as the nickel.

"Coach Rhoads just wants to see people in different spots and how they work there and everything so it is a matter of who can get in the best positions possible," Ramirez said.

“It always helps elevate my game. I don’t necessarily try to focus on who I am going against or what they are doing that is better than me, but I am always every day am trying to bring my best effort and my best 'A' game and let my play speak for itself. I stay humble and keep working and keep grinding.”

He said he thinks Arkansas will be improved on defense over last season.

“I feel like it is because players are accountable off the and on the field and we have more veterans and leaders to be vocal,” Ramirez said. “Everybody is responding to each other each period and everything else.

“And with the new 3-4, since we have more linebackers for run support. Like last year, playing with two linebackers, we would get picked on or taken advantage of. With more linebackers, it helps with run support and takes a load off the safeties. I think that is going to help with our defense.”

Reid Miller is the fourth safety, but highly-regarded safety signee Montaric Brown (6-1, 180) of Ashdown will get his shot to play early.

“I haven’t seen his highlight tape or anything, but I am looking forward to him coming in this summer and seeing what he is about,” Ramirez said. “He has got to put a little bit more size on him if he wants to come in the box in the SEC, but he is going to get there for sure.

“I have heard of him and I saw him on recruiting and he is a good kid and I am going to work with him to make sure he is ahead of the game before fall camp starts.”