FAYETTEVILLE — Replenishing the linebacker corps is among the top priorities for Arkansas football’s defense ahead of the 2024-25 season.
After the Razorbacks lost just about all of their regular contributors at linebacker this offseason — four to the portal and one who ran out of eligibility — roles in the defense's middle are up for grabs.
Two players seem to have emerged as the primary candidates: Sophomore Brad Spence and Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey.
Spence played 94 defensive snaps in 10 games as a freshman last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and is now near the top of an overall young group of linebackers. Of Arkansas’ scholarship linebackers, only redshirt junior Sorey and redshirt sophomore Kaden Henley have been on a college roster for more than two seasons.
“The other guys haven't played because they were freshmen last year,” defensive coordinator Travis Williams said Thursday. “The only reason people don't know about them is because they haven't played. Doesn't mean they're not good enough.”
Spence has gotten some reps at buck linebacker in a new defensive front Arkansas debuted after spring break. Defensive end Nico Davillier, who has also repped the position, said it’s essentially a stand-up defensive end who can “drop in coverage, play the run, [and] pass rush.”
“Just trying to put some stress on the offenses that we see,” Williams said of the front. “We can do some different things with the personnel that we have to put stress on offenses, so being able to go from four down to three down … has been good for us.”
Sorey brings needed experience to the linebacker group having spent three seasons at Georgia before transferring. The former 5-star played in 11 games and started twice for the Bulldogs last season.
“He's so happy to be here; he’s so humbled to be here,” Williams said of Sorey. “I knew I was getting a very athletic player, knew I was getting a good person. We had to battle for him [out of the portal] because everybody in America wanted him. I'm glad we got him.”
Arkansas might not be done adding transfer linebackers, however. Coach Sam Pittman previously said another older linebacker is on his wishlist for the April portal window, which opens for one week April 16.
For now, though, Williams feels good about the status of the linebackers with about one week of spring practices remaining. He said the group has been cross-training at different spots.
“They're interchangeable because we do some different things defensively, and what I like to do is have them do both,” he said. “In the old days, they called it a Mike and a Will. We call it the Mack and the Money. The more you learn the better.
“I try to keep them moving around and have musical chairs. You just never know; injuries happen. You want to put the best guy up next. Not, 'Okay, this guy's the two Money, so he's up next.' Well, this two Mack may be better than the two Money, so you want to put him over there. We try our best to have those guys play both positions so you can put the best on the field.”
Defense up front
For a defense to competitively battle in the SEC, it’s no secret the war starts in the trenches.
“In this league, in any league, but especially the SEC, it starts up front,” Williams said.
The second-year Razorbacks defensive coordinator gave an update on how the unit is doing in the interior.
“I would start out with Cam Ball,” Williams said. “I think Cam is doing a really good job this spring. I think he's taking his game to another level and Coach [Deke] Adams does a really good job with the whole front four, coaching those guys and getting those guys prepared. You can see the growth from just from last year.
“Eric Gregory is a seasoned vet. He gotten to play a lot of ball. He's an athletic defensive tackle for us as well. And he can hold a point. Very pleased by those guys.”
Ian Geffrard, listed as a 6-6 and 290-pound sophomore, is another player Williams singled out as making strides.
“You’ve got Ian Geffrard as well,” Williams said. “He’s I think to 380-something pounds. He's a big, massive guy that's hard to move and continue. He's continued to grow in that position as well…. Coach Adams does a really, really good job with those guys getting them prepared.”
Speaking on the ends, Williams gave credit to Davillier, who has been a playmaker throughout the spring. He has been one of the main players getting to play in the Buck position.
“You're talking about a guy that's took huge steps,” Williams said of Davillier.
“He's doing really good for us. He's a guy that's flashing. In his eyes, it's his time now.
“He's doing some really good stuff for us and comes with great energy. We’ve asked those defensive end Bucks to do a lot. It’s not one of [those] deals where you're just rushing every time. You’ve got to drop, you’ve got to do some different things and Niko is doing some really good stuff."
Williams said he was “very happy” getting 6-7, 282-pound defensive end Landon Jackson to return for his senior season. Jackson, who Williams said has a wedding Saturday, has been able to mentor sophomore Quincy Rhodes.
“Quincy is very talented,” Williams said. “If you look at his numbers in the weight room, it's just unreal. I's really good for him to be behind Landon [to] watch Landon and the way he works. Because I think Quincy has a bright future. Quincy could be as good as he wants to be.
“He has that type of talent. But for him to be able to see Landon and see how you go about your business at work… The different things that you can learn from a veteran is going to be really big for Quincy.”
Notes from Arkansas' 10th practice
• The defense got the best of the offense, and in particular the passing game, most of practice. It was a strong day for the secondary breaking up passes and causing confusion on quarterbacks.
• Marquise Robinson, a transfer defensive back from South Alabama, was unavailable to practice. He wore a soft brace around his left knee and worked on the sideline with training staff.
• Coach Sam Pittman was animated working with the offensive tackles during individual drills. It seems he has enjoyed getting to hone in on working with the group for part of practice.
• Kicker Matthew Shipley, who transferred in from Hawai’i, had a bounce back day. He made field goals from 29, 42 and 55 yards out. His lone miss was a 48-yarder.