Notable Returners: Dre Greenlaw, De'Jon Harris, Dwayne Eugene, Randy Ramsey, Karl Roesler, Michael Taylor, Josh Harris
Who's Gone: Brooks Ellis, Khalia Hackett, Josh Williams
Who's New: Kyrei Fisher
Overview
The move to a 3-4 defensive scheme likely has had a bigger impact on the linebackers than any other position. Arkansas now has two linebacker coaches - Vernon Hargreaves on the inside and former Atlanta Falcons assistant position coach Chad Walker on the outside. The linebackers even have split into two different meeting rooms after sharing one the past several years. Dre Greenlaw is the known commodity at linebacker. A handful of former defensive ends enter the fold as stand-up linebackers on the outside.
Position Leader: Dre Greenlaw, Jr.
Greenlaw's impact was evident after he suffered a broken foot against Alabama last October. Arkansas struggled to find a suitable replacement for him, although his absence did give freshman De'Jon Harris some valuable playing time he otherwise might not have had. Greenlaw is expected to play the will linebacker spot, an interior position in the 3-4 as opposed to an outside spot in the 4-3. He'll be limited to no contact this spring, however, after requiring a second foot surgery in January.
One to Watch: Michael Taylor, R-So.
The general feeling around the program last summer was the Razorbacks suffered a hit when Taylor wasn't able to qualify early enough to play his first season on campus. Taylor redshirted but often was talked about for his work on the scout team. He'll join the likes of Randy Ramsey and Karl Roesler as former defensive ends converted to outside linebackers.
Noteworthy
Freshmen Giovanni LaFrance, Alexy Jean-Baptiste and Dee Walker redshirted last season. LaFrance suffered a broken hand during a 7-on-7 session last summer.
Kyrei Fisher is an early enrollee. Another 2017 signee, Josh Paul, is expected to arrive in June.