Q: This is a huge season for McTelvin Agim in terms of his NFL hopes. Do you envision him putting together a career year?
Clay Henry: I've always been told by NFL scouts - and I hear from two that have ties to playoff teams - that Sosa should be inside and that he'd do better to add some bulk. Both of those will happen. That's encouraging news. He was much more consistent and showed better endurance this past spring. I believe he'll reap the benefits, as will the team. His value is huge in leadership, too. Players seem to gravitate to him.
This is one area of the team that I don't worry about too much. There is talent, more depth and also they should show development under Steve Caldwell. I'd put Caldwell with some of the great defensive line coaches who have worked at Arkansas like Jim Washburn, Jimmy Johnson and Harold Horton.
Dudley Dawson: Yes. Now that he is locked into one position inside and has a contract year ahead of him in terms of NFL draft position, I expect all the flashes he has shown in the three previous seasons to roll into a consistent senior campaign. It should be time for the Year of Sosa.
Tom Murphy: Sosa has the quick-twitch assets and power to win many one-on-ones with interior blockers, so there are good odds he can put together his best season, much like Armon Watts did on the inside last year. It's important the ends and T.J. Smith make themselves formidable to block to keep fewer double teams off Agim.
Scottie Bordelon: I honestly think we will see him play with a sense of urgency maybe he hasn't carried with him prior to this season. In making his decision to come back to school for his final year, Agim said Chad Morris told him to either buy in or move on. At least from what we gathered this summer and at SEC Media Days, he's focused on the right things and gearing up for a big individual season, which would likely lead to team success.
Seth Campbell: I think this could be his best year yet. The move to the inside of the line gives him a more direct path to the quarterback, which should result in more sacks. When Agim came to Fayetteville he was touted as a guy that might only hang around for three years. With the NFL an achievable goal, I expect him to be focused and perform well this year.
Q: Which player could emerge as a playmaker in this group? Is it a freshman?
Clay Henry: It could be a freshman. The key for first-year players in the SEC is to stay healthy in camp and September. That's important so that they get enough of the installation to know the system. Mataio Soli is the one I expect to make the biggest jumps among the true freshman. But, I also expect Isaiah Nichols to make a big move.
Dudley Dawson: My guess is highly recruited defensive end Dorian Gerald, who acknowledges he was out of shape after arriving in August, shows why he was considered the crown jewel of the 2018 defensive recruiting class. He is 20 pounds lighter, playing for his family and now equipped to get things done.
Others I expect to make jumps are sophomore linebacker Bumper Pool, junior safeties Kam Curl and Joe Foucha and true freshmen defensive backs Greg Brooks, Devin Bush and Jalen Catalon.
Tom Murphy: I'm thinking there's a big jump available for Dorian Gerald in Year 2 as a transfer, and I think the state would love to see Jamario Bell be an impact guy as a senior. The veterans think Mataio Soli has a chance for quick impact. The Hogs need some depth improvements to make a move.
Scottie Bordelon: It definitely could be. Eric Gregory and Mataio Soli stood out at times in spring practices, so those names quickly came to mind. Everyone raves about Soli, and for good reason. However, I think Isaiah Nichols, a former Springdale High standout, makes an impact. I will also be curious to see if Dorian Gerald can establish himself as someone to reckon with. As far as the freshmen, I'm very intrigued by Taurean Carter and Marcus Miller. They look the part. We'll see if they can get through camp healthy and make a name for themselves in Year 1.
Seth Campbell: I think the playmaker this year will be Dorian Gerald. Gerald was expected to be a difference maker last year, but he arrived late to campus and was behind almost all year. He's dropped some weight since he first arrived on campus, which has allowed him to move better. Combine the weight loss with a full year in the playbook and Gerald could emerge as the player everyone thought he would be last year.
Q: Will guys like Jamario Bell and Gabe Richardson ever make the leap?
Clay Henry: I have more confidence in a push from Gabe Richardson. I just haven't seen Jamario Bell stay on the field long enough to believe that he's going to be a difference maker. They are different type players. Bell looks like a Jamaal Anderson type with length. Richardson has the smaller body and a burst. There is talent with both. NFL scouts keep taking notes when they are around both, but I have not seen them get off blocks to think they are going to take that next step.
Dudley Dawson: I think both will be contributors this season, but it is one of those cautiously optimistic situations.
Tom Murphy: It's now or never, as I referenced above with Bell. The same applies to Richardson. If those two guys can prove steady against the run and can notch 3-4-5 sacks each, position coach Steve Caldwell should enjoy a nice rotation.
Scottie Bordelon: I just keep waiting and waiting for the light to come on for both of these guys, and it hasn't happened yet. Getting consistent production from them week in and week out would be a tremendous boost for this group, but I'll believe it when I finally see it.
Seth Campbell: Jamario Bell started at defensive line when he came to college out of high school, but before he played a game he switched positions. Then he switched again. Then he switched again, but this time it was back to defensive line. Bell will definitely benefit from staying at one position this offseason. Gabe Richardson, on the other hand, might be at the bottom of a rotation that includes: Sosa Agim, T.J. Smith, Dorian Gerald, Jamario Bell and Jonathan Marshall. The key word is might. He will get an opportunity to prove himself in fall practice, but if he doesn't I don't see him making a leap into being a significant force on the defensive line.
Q: Over or under 16 sacks for defensive linemen in 2019? Arkansas defensive linemen combined for 16 in 2018.
Clay Henry: The odd thing is that it's not the sacks that I think are the key. If this line can stop the run, then the sacks will come. But you have to make teams pass first. This is where this defense needs the most improvement, run stopping. If they do that, John Chavis will dial up enough heat to beat that 16 sack number.
Dudley Dawson: Over. I see the three true freshmen adding to a group that gets over 20.
Tom Murphy: Push. Watts racked up a lot last year. I think the Hogs will get a few more from linebackers and defensive backs this year.
Scottie Bordelon: Over. I think Agim leads the way with 6-7 and the unit surpasses last year's total by committee with help from Gerald, Nichols, Soli, a couple of other freshmen I mentioned earlier, and maybe even a name like Nick Fulwider.
Seth Campbell: I'll say over. Gerald coming into his own and the move of Agim to the inside has me thinking over.