FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas didn’t have many playmakers on defense last season, but at least five left a lasting impression that they might be this year during Saturday’s practice.
Defensive lineman McTelvin Agim, cornerback Ryan Pulley and linebackers De’Jon “Scoota” Harris, Randy Ramsey and Jamario Bell all had big plays in the Razorbacks’ last practice of the spring, which was televised by the SEC Network and held indoors.
“It felt good to be out there full-tempo,” Agim said. “ Of course, no hitting, but it felt to be out there again, especially knowing you are going to be out there on national television and the media out here and your family and friends out here. It’s so good to have that environment and be able to play here again.”
Agim is a sophomore-to-be who had three sacks on Saturday and was just generally disruptive as was Ramsey, who will be a junior.
“That’s some of the stuff I think the 3-4 brings you, being able to bring guys from the field, from the boundary, guys up the middle,” Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema said. “I think there’s some D-line games you’re talking about.
“When (Ramsey) pins his ears back and comes, he’s a pretty hard guy to stop. I was just getting nervous with the flush out of the pocket. I like the ability that he brings. He’s to the field a lot, but then to put him in he sub package and let him be up on the line of scrimmage is a nice little package.”
Agim believes the switch to a 3-4 defense is going well.
“This defense fits our team better,” Agim said. “I feel like we are getting better at every position. I feel we are moving faster now. Everybody knows their assignment and alignment and are getting our checks in quicker. I feel like it’s going to be a good year own defense, definitely.”
That’s the same sentiment from Pulley, who had an interception and several pass break-ups.
“I think we had one bad practice out of the 15,” Pulley said. “I think the defense did pretty good today knowing that it was our last practice out of the 15 and we were not going to be out on the field again for a minute until fall camp.”
Agim was involved in one scary play in scrimmage when he bumped into tailback Rawleigh Williams, who suffered what Arkansas officials listed a stinger.
Williams, who suffered a season-ending neck injury as a freshman but came back to lead the SEC in rushing in the regular season, was carted off the field.
“I believe it was a zone or a stretch,” Agim said. “Rawleigh ran opposite of me. I was in my gap and he came over the top. It was like we went head up and he spins off and when he spins I don’t see him anymore. And I see that he was on the ground and I thought he was going to get back up and then they stop practice."
The Razorbacks got together at midfield to pray for Williams, who was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons, before resuming practice.
“Rawleigh is my dude," Agim said. "I most definitely would not want to hurt him so when I see him it hurt me a little. It took me a little while to get back into the groove. It was like we thudded head up and he was ready to spin and he just like fell. So that’s what I saw from my perspective. That’s all I can say.”
Harris, a true freshman who saw significant playing time toward the end of last season, also had an interception as well as several tackles.
“I just wanted to put some good stuff on film,” Harris said. “I’m just trying to be the leader of the defense. I feel like this will give me a lot of momentum going into fall camp. I think if the guys see me going, it gets them going.”
He played behind senior Brooks Ellis last season before getting on the field more when Dre Greenlaw was injured.
“I think it benefitted me a lot,” Harris said of playing time as a freshmen. “I learned a lot sitting behind Brooks and then learned a lot by getting out on the field and learning the speed of the game so I feel really good out there.”
Harris, who ended up with 37 tackles, feels good about his spring.
“I have seen a lot of growth just from some of the mistakes and little things and coach (Vernon) Hargreaves and I have seen on film how I have taken a big step,” Harris said. “I am setting on the edge, I am better coming downhill and I am better running through gaps and making tackles in the backfield. From week two to now, I made a big step.”
He is also a big fan of the 3-4.
“I love it,” Harris said. “My D-linemen are taking care of the center and the ends for us and we are off and running and we just have to make plays.”
Harris actually received some votes to be one of the team's captains - an honor awarded to offense lineman Frank Ragnow, quarterback Austin Allen, safety Santos Ramirez and defensive back Kevin Richardson.
“It surprised me, but then again it didn’t because I have tried to be a leader out there in defense and be that voice,” Harris said. “So I was not that surprised that some guys voted for me. I am a leader and I just keep going in that
direction.”
Bell was moved back to defense within the past two weeks after spending time at tight end and has shined per Bielema,
“It’s been like a rebirth,” Bielema said. “He’s been unbelievable. I know when I first brought it up to him, he kind of gave me those big eyes, but he jumped into it 110 percent. He has made plays really ever since the day he got there.
“He had a big interception on Tuesday. He’s a crowd favorite. The kids love harassing him because he loves to be harassed and give harassment as well. He’s having fun. The thing I said after that second day, I just looked at him and said, ‘Jamario, I love your smile, man. I haven’t seen that in two years.’ He’s a good athlete and almost came up with a big one today.”