FAYETTEVILLE — One of the breakout performers of Arkansas’ spring practices has been junior defensive end Gabe Richardson.
Richardson (6-3, 250 pounds) has moved to the top of the depth chart opposite Randy Ramsey and that has allowed the Razorbacks to move McTelvin “Sosa” Agim inside.
He’s proud of his work so far, but not about to get comfortable.
“My chest goes up a little higher," Richardson said. "I’m like ‘OK, I’m Big Dog.’ That is what it feels like. I just talked to one of my boys today and I was like, 'Man, I am really feeling it, but you know I need to keep my head down and my feet moving, and let’s go.’”
Richardson had a big play in the 2017 season opener when he caused a fumble that Henre’ Toliver took in for a touchdown, but would end up playing only six snaps total on defense and appearing in just four games.
He admits that the season humbled him and made him hungrier to succeed.
“It took me a little bit to fall to see how far I needed to get back up and how much energy it takes to get back up,” Richardson said. “We had a team meeting earlier today and it was like you really have to see yourself fail and fail over and over again to really understand and feel the appreciation of how hard you have to work to get to where you want to be and get where you are at.”
That corresponds with the arrival of new Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis.
“His play really gives us an opportunity to do some different things,” Chavis said. “He has a done a good job. We are experimenting with this and we’ll see where it goes and see where he is going to fit best, but I really like what I have seen so far.”
Richardson, a Decatur, Ga., product that played one season at Hutchinson, Kan., Community College and finished with 18.5 tackles for lost yardage, is a big fan of Chavis.
He believes the fit of Chavis along with leaders such as safety Santos Ramirez and linebacker De’Jon “Scoota” Harris is a good one.
“The emotion that Coach Chavis brings, especially with the guys that understand, the leaders we have around with Santos and Scoota, we all lift each other up,” Richardson said. “The more we lift each other up, the more we come in and get active with each other, we will become a stronger, faster and healthier team.”
Richardson sees a new chemistry and communication with the defense.
“Everybody is ready to play,” Richardson said. “We are coaching each other, we are understanding the calls, we are always communicating, we are always talking with each other even when we are on the side. If I am on the side, I am coaching other guys up, guys are coaching me, we are always making sure we are getting in the meetings, we are real close.
“As long was we continue to keep going like that, building everybody up, that is how you bring everybody with you and become a team.”
He sees the defensive guys being there for each other more this season.
“Everybody is always trying to get to the top off the mountain every day and I am reminded every day that those guys are with me, never behind me, but with me,” Richardson said. “I am just the first guy to go out there and pop it off.”
Chavis believes that Richardson is better in a 4-3 defense than he is in a 3-4.
“I definitely agree,” Richardson said. “A lot of things are going in, a lot of good things are happening. Really, it gives me the option to stand up and beat my guy or get in a stance, really get in a track stance and come off and get something going.”
He admits he likes being a defensive end better than a linebacker.
“It feels like home, being back in my position and having fun,” Richardson said. “Same guys, same goal. It’s still the Arkansas Razorbacks and we just go out there and play.”
Richardson and offensive lineman Jalen Merrick were involved in a scuffle during Wednesday’s scrimmage.
“It was him trying to do his job and me trying to do my job better,” Richardson said of the incident. “I am not going to take much. … I am going to do better to control my temper, but I am not going to take much.
“You don’t want to see a soft group of guys around you. You want some guys that are going to get after it. That group we have now, they work hard.”
Richardson is going up against Arkansas offensive lineman Brian Wallace every practice.
“I am against B-Wall every day, whether I was a one, two or three, I am always up against B-Wall,” Richardson said. “In my estimation, B-Wall is one of the best tackles in the SEC. He’s 6-6, 315, has cut his weight down and got his feet right.
“After every single rep, we communicate on what happened. What did he do? What can I do to get better because we are going to dominate and we are going to win. He is going to get after some D-ends and I am going to get after some tackles, and together as a group, it is only making us better.”