Walker likes the look of young linebackers

Arkansas outside linebackers coach Chad Walker goes through practice Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas outside linebackers coach Chad Walker feels good about his older linebackers, but has been surprised by a couple of true freshmen who have earned second-team reps so far in practice.

Former Pulaski Academy standout Hayden Henry (6-3, 215 pounds) and former New Orleans Archbishop Rummel star Derrick Munson (5-11, 203) have already opened some eyes through the first few practices.

Henry, who had 93 tackles last season with 9.5 for lost yardage and 4 interceptions as a high school senior, is the younger brother of Los Angeles tight end Hunter Henry, who won the Mackey Award at Arkansas, and the son of former Razorback All-Southwest Conference offensive lineman Mark Henry.

“Hayden has come in and he is serious,” Walker said. “He is intense. He doesn’t say anything and just absorbs everything that he can. He is always listening and always communicating and he is tough.

“So when he gets his opportunity, you can feel him. He uses those arms and that toughness and is really doing a great job out there. He practices with a purpose, he practices with intensity and he is a very intelligent football player. So from what I have seen, he understands certain situations whether it is in coverage, understands when to fall off. He has done a nice job.”

Munson was the first Arkansas commit in the 2017 class and stayed true to the Razorbacks throughout the process.

He had 120 tackles his senior season with five tackles for lost yardage and five interceptions after a junior season in which he recorded 160 stops.

“Munson has worked in with the second-team as well,” Walker said. “He has worked at the Razor spot. You feel Munson’s toughness, you feel his quickness. He is very quick. He has solid wrap, he is in the right spot so he is moving around.

“He is progressing just like all the young guys we have and we are all kind of new in the room as we progress together. He is still learning the scheme and still learning the exact alignments and assignments, but I love his attitude and love his intent toward improving every day as well.”

The Razorbacks have a trio of older outside backers in Randy Ramsey, Karl Roseler and Dwayne Eugene, with a lot of youngsters backing them up.

Arkansas, Mississippi State and Tennessee were the only three teams in the SEC that did not have a defensive player listed on one of the three preseason all-conference selections. Walker said he isn't focused on the preseason teams.

“I just look at what I have and think how can I make Randy Ramsey better, how can I make Karl better, how can I make Eugene better, how can I make Gabe (Richardson) or (injured) Jamario (Bell) better," Walker said.

“That’s the approach that I take. It is not a knock on anything. I just look at what I have and I like where we are at. I like how we are progressing. It is about teamwork and guys fitting in, guys playing hard and guys playing consistent. We’ll see where it takes us.”