Hogs counting on Randy Ramsey to impact

Arkansas linebacker Randy Ramsey rushes the passer during a game against Florida on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in Fayetteville.

— Randy Ramsey was treated to an up close and personal view of Alabama and LSU’s defenses from the Reynolds Razorback Stadium home sideline last fall.

The same thought ran across Ramsey’s mind in both games. It was a familiar lament, one he had every time he watched either team play on TV, in fact.

"I used to (watch) that all the time like, 'Dang, man, I could be doing that," Ramsey said with a laugh.

He was referring to Alabama and LSU’s 3-4 schemes, which employed versatile outside linebackers used to defend against the run game, rush the passer and drop back in coverage.

Now he gets to do that. Arkansas has adopted the 3-4, a schematic overhaul which began in Belk Bowl practices and was the defense’s focal point of spring practice under new coordinator Paul Rhoads.

The system change was hard to argue with. Arkansas’ defense was a sore spot in 2016, which led to coordinator Robb Smith leaving for the same post at Minnesota. The unit was abysmal against the run, ranking last in the SEC and 126th out of 128 teams nationally in opponent yards per carry (5.91).

The change to the 3-4 may benefit Ramsey more than anyone on the roster. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Ramsey possesses the requisite combination of size and athleticism needed to play outside linebacker.

The move means Ramsey, a situational, pass-rushing defensive end last year, will have a chance to be a mainstay on the field, an opportunity to play far more than the handful of snaps he played in most games as a sophomore. He goes from an undersized end to a potential matchup nightmare at outside linebacker.

"I'm grateful that the coaches decided to go to this defense," Ramsey said.

The coaching staff is hoping Ramsey’s playmaking ability will be a perfect fit for the 3-4.

Last year, he led the team and ranked fourth in the SEC with a trio of forced fumbles. He was third on the team with 5.5 tackles-for-loss and compiled four quarterback hurries and 2.5 sacks, all while generally only playing on third downs or other obvious passing situations.

He was capable of causing mayhem when he was able to get on the field. The Hogs hope he can bring that same disruptive presence to an expanded role. Early returns from the spring were encouraging:

“He’s a guy that I think can have a big jump in the fall and athletically, he has a knack for rushing the passer, for sure,” coach Bret Bielema said. “He’s got very, very long arms, is a good athlete that has power and can run, so I’m excited.”

“Randy Ramsey is a guy that I think has really improved his game,” Rhoads said.

“Randy Ramsey (is) No. 1 in terms of standing out,” outside linebackers coach Chad Walker said. “He's been the most consistent every single day. His game has ascended every day right now. He really brings a great competitiveness and toughness to the room. He adds an element of pass rush. He adds an element of being able to set the edge and expand out in coverage.”

It’s important to note position isn’t the only change for Ramsey.

He was dismissed from the team in the spring of 2015. At the time, Bielema said he needed to focus on academics. That isn’t an issue anymore. He re-earned his scholarship last August and hasn’t looked back.

“He’s set to have the best academic semester of his career,” Bielema said in April. “I don’t think that happened by chance. He’s taken a huge step in maturity.”

Ramsey pursues extra-credit opportunities outside of regular class time. He stops by Bielema’s office from time to time to check in.

“I'm way more mature,” Ramsey said. “…Just growing up.”

That maturity has helped this spring. Walker is the man tasked with helping Ramsey’s potential turn into realized production in his new role. A first-year assistant who joined the staff in February after coaching for the Atlanta Falcons, Walker didn’t know what kind of players he was inheriting and who would be cut out to play a new position.

It quickly became apparent Ramsey was a fit for the Razor position, the lighter, more agile outside linebacker spot opposite the Hog, which was being manned by fellow former defensive end Karl Roesler at the end of spring ball.

Ramsey’s ability to check a number of boxes made him a natural at Razor.

“I’m not sure what he did last year,” Walker said. “I just look at today, really. I just kind of look moving forward. … But I know what he’s doing right now and he does a really nice job standing up, whether it’s playing in space or breaking on the ball and he can rush the passer. He adds that element. He can do it all. And he plays the run well.”

Walker doesn’t focus on last year, but Ramsey and the rest of the defense spent the winter and spring unlearning the old defense and diving into a new playbook, new Hoganese and new roles.

Ramsey’s size limited him to a pass-rushing role last fall. The staff didn’t want him battling offensive tackles on an every down basis because he was conceivably be a liability against the run, but he still had to practice as a defensive end.

“It was a lot of reading the tackles stance,” Ramsey said. “I couldn't just go and get the quarterback. It was more of a scheme defense.”

But now?

“I'm just going most of the time,” Ramsey said.

Going in the right direction. Ramsey is a different person playing a different position with responsibility he is better suited to handle now more than ever before.

“The coaches are putting me in a position to make plays and I'm just thankful," Ramsey said.