FAYETTEVILLE — Depth at linebacker is a question mark for Arkansas entering this fall in many people’s estimations.
But not for Dre Greenlaw.
The senior from Fayetteville believes the Razorbacks have the potential to have one of the SEC’s deepest linebacker units. For that to happen, Greenlaw understands it will take a lot of player progression in fall camp, which kicked off Friday evening.
Greenlaw and junior De’Jon Harris, the lone teammates in the SEC to record 100-plus tackles each in 2017, are the leaders of a group with talent but little playing experience. On Monday, coach Chad Morris mentioned players who need to make a significant leap sooner rather than later. Friday, he reiterated his point.
“Dee Walker and (Deon) Edwards, those are two guys I’ve mentioned before that (defensive coordinator John Chavis) is challenging these guys,” Morris said. “They need to step up and cross train, and I think you saw a little bit of that today. Giovanni LaFrance is another one who got out there and got some reps in.”
Greenlaw described Walker (6-2, 216 pounds) as a “freak of an athlete” who will continue to make strides as he retains information and receives more reps. Morris added that Walker and Edwards (6-1, 213) have had great summers and all indications point toward needed improvement.
Hayden Henry is working at the strongside linebacker and, in some of the coaches’ minds, will use his natural instincts and ability to climb his way into a vital role. Grant Morgan, who finished with 38 tackles and 3.5 for loss last season, adds a bit more experience to Arkansas’ core group of linebackers and is cross-training at the weakside and middle linebacker positions, Greenlaw said.
“With Grant, he’s a smart guy,” he added. “He’s definitely our third linebacker. You can put him at any position and he knows what to do.”
Greenlaw quickly pointed to freshman Andrew Parker as a player who can take on some early responsibility at the position as well, citing the New Orleans native’s explosion, quickness and dedication in the weight room. Parker came in at 235 pounds at Thursday’s team weigh-in after arriving in Fayetteville at around 245.
“He reminds me a lot of Scoota (Harris),” Greenlaw said. “He’s definitely going to give us some help this year. I think the coaches see him more as a Mike (middle linebacker). He’s definitely going to be a big part of our defense and one of those freshmen to come in off the side and be a big help.
“He’s a guy that I can tell is going to go out there and he’s going to lay it down and hit some stuff, so I can’t wait to see as we get more reps him getting more into the depth chart and see what he’s going to do.”
Chavis will be the first to say it’s his job to make sure his players are as prepared as possible when they take the field. Creating quality depth at an all-important position like linebacker, especially in the SEC, will play a big part in Arkansas attempting to right the ship after a disappointing showing last fall.
Greenlaw said Arkansas will be able to provide solid play at the second level when needed.
“Regardless who we’ve got in there, everybody believes in them and they know what they’re doing and that they’re able to go out and make plays,” he said. “And with me and Scoota’s leadership and the way we work and train, I think everybody follows.”