Agim 'still learning' after transition to tackle

Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (3) participates in a drill Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, during practice at the university practice fields in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Junior defensive lineman Sosa Agim admits he’s still got a little bit of learning to do to fully grasp defensive coordinator John Chavis’ scheme.

Agim, who finished last season 10th on the team with 37 tackles and 7.5 for loss, said he is working with Arkansas’ second-team defensive line alongside junior college transfer Dorian Gerald, Jonathan Marshall and Jamario Bell.

After seeing a majority of his snaps come at end and tackle in the spring, his primary focus this fall has been at tackle, and coaches are allowing him the opportunity to mix with a number of players in hopes of finding the right fit.

“It’s been pretty good,” said Agim, who now weighs 279 pounds after playing his first two seasons at 287-290. “I played inside my freshman year. I played 3-technique, but now you are playing 2- and 3-tech. It hasn’t been too much of a transition (moving to tackle). I’m just trying to get some of the reps with the 1s and see how I feel (it) out and play with everybody else.”

Agim provided a bit of insight as to why — as one of the Razorbacks’ most pro-ready bodies — he is working with the second unit.

“I’m still learning the plays because I had to get moved over,” he said. “I have been getting pushed in with the 1s. Right now, I’m just trying to get sprinkled in with the 1s a little bit.

“It’s just so I can keep moving spots, so I can’t be a definite (first-teamer) right now consistently. … I’m just trying to learn those plays so I can play both if it comes down to it in a game.”

In the past, Agim has played defensive end and tackle in a 4-3 scheme. Now playing more over the ball, he likes the possibilities that come with playing nose guard in Arkansas’ ‘Mustang’ package — a 3-2-6 look.

“I just feel like it's hard to know where I'm coming from and when I'm coming,” he said. “I like that. It’s just basically like you disguise it a little bit.”

The Razorbacks ranked dead last in the SEC in sacks in 2017 with only 19. The Chavis-led Texas A&M defense led the league with 43. Agim isn’t making any bold predictions regarding Arkansas’ sack numbers just yet, but the rise in aggressiveness has been apparent and should lead to more plays resulting in lost yardage.

On a scale from 1-5, he feels Arkansas was a 2 in terms of attacking the ball last fall. Through nine days of preseason practice, it’s at a 5, he said.

“I don’t feel like we’re going to be last at all,” Agim said. “I feel like we’re not going to be last, but I don’t know how far we can climb with Chief running the ship. … The 4-8 record wasn’t good at all, so it’s getting to the point where we’re trying to win.

“We’re tired of losing.”

Agim's information retention at tackle will be a good indicator as to how much havoc Arkansas' front line can create this fall.