FAYETTEVILLE — According to Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and first-year defensive line coach Deke Adams, Eric Gregory is a quiet person by nature.
That much may be true off the field and in meeting rooms. But the redshirt junior is a candidate to make noise along the defensive line and have something of a breakout season in 2022.
A key reason why is Arkansas’ staff has made a push to utilize his versatility by playing him both on the interior at tackle in four-man fronts and at defensive end in three-man looks.
“We’re moving him around a good bit,” said Adams, who was hired earlier this year to lead the group and replace Jermial Ashley. “Right now we’re just trying to fit in both aspects because in this league and in this game inside, you never know what happens.
“The more versatile you are, the better you are as a group. And as a person, your value (increases) to the team.”
Gregory, 6-4 and 302 pounds, has played a number of significant snaps for the Razorbacks the past two seasons while somewhat flying under the radar. He finished with 54 total tackles and 7 tackles for lost yardage in 2020 and 2021, but wants to become a more productive and feared part of Arkansas’ defense.
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Routinely playing with great effort and technique will help him unlock his potential.
“It’s just more being consistent with my game,” Gregory said. “Run, pass, I want to show my ability that I can get after the passer and I can also stop the run. I feel like to take my game to the next level, I've got to focus more on being more consistent with my game.”
Zach Williams, who throughout camp has been on the first-team defensive line with Gregory, said the lineman’s size and versatility makes him an asset.
Gregory posted an overall defense grade of 59.6 last season, according to Pro Football Focus analytics, which was No. 2 among the Razorbacks’ edge defenders behind Williams.
Where Gregory excelled was in coverage, with a grade of 75.1. In that category, Williams was No. 2 at 60.7.
“He can be on the edge, he can be inside,” Williams said. “He knows the plays. He can be put anywhere on the line, and that’s really good to see.”
Adams added that Gregory runs like a linebacker, which becomes an advantage when opponents attempt to bounce runs off tackle or make throws to the perimeter.
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Coming out of spring drills, Adams tasked Gregory with becoming more physical and aggressive with his hands to combat blocks. Ten days into fall camp, he has met that challenge.
“He’s a big kid. When you see him, he’s 300 pounds,” Adams said. “He can really run. It’s been fun watching him grow from the time I’ve gotten here up to this point. He’s become more physical.
“He understands. He doesn’t say a whole lot, so when he does say something, everybody listens. It’s a fun group, man. It’s just fun to have those guys in the room.
“Eric’s been really good....He’s done a lot of great things for us this camp.”
Veteran offensive lineman Dalton Wagner, last year's starter at right tackle, gave Gregory a shoutout as one of Arkansas’ toughest defensive linemen to keep out of the backfield.
“I can’t give Eric enough props,” Wagner said. “He’s stronger and faster than I’ve ever seen.”