LB recruiting?

[cubsfan5150]

How would you guys say we are doing?

Are we in on anyone else that could make a difference?

[tophawg19]

Andre Smith is a new name that would make a real difference not sure how much interest he really has though . # 17 ILB is interesting though

[Grizzlyfan]

If you are talking about the 2015 class since we only have one LB commitment (Dre Greenlaw) I wouldn't say it's been great.  This class is overwhelmingly offense heavy.  Mainly because this crop of in-state talent has been so offense heavy.  But it would be great to finish with a difference maker LB.

The 2016 in state class has a couple of really good LB prospects.

[CDBHawg]

If you are talking about the 2015 class since we only have one LB commitment (Dre Greenlaw) I wouldn't say it's been great.  This class is overwhelmingly offense heavy.  Mainly because this crop of in-state talent has been so offense heavy.  But it would be great to finish with a difference maker LB.

The 2016 in state class has a couple of really good LB prospects.

Derrick Graham is a commit as well.

[IBleedRazorbackRed]

If you are talking about the 2015 class since we only have one LB commitment (Dre Greenlaw) I wouldn't say it's been great.  This class is overwhelmingly offense heavy.  Mainly because this crop of in-state talent has been so offense heavy.  But it would be great to finish with a difference maker LB.

The 2016 in state class has a couple of really good LB prospects.

Derrick Graham...

[IBleedRazorbackRed]

I think we close with James King, which would give us Graham, King, and probably Greenlaw who may also play safety. Staff may also choose to take Kendrick Jackson as well as King.

[hawginbigd1]

so far i would say this is the weakest area of the BB era, but if they close out with graham, jackson, and maybe king I think it will be much improved.

[Wildhog]

I think it's going very well.

[Pudgepork]

Quality depth at linebacker has been thin throughout
this century.  Going back to when we joined the sec,
Hogs sometimes had that 1 big talented lb with 2
smaller hard hitting hybrids on the field with him.

It just seems to be the toughest position to fill since
joining the sec.  Tennessee used to recruit big numbers
at running back and convert them to lb's.  That's why
their lb's were always so fast.   But a player has to
also have that tear your head off mentality to be great.
I always thought of tight ends as being linebackers with
out the nasty disposition on the field

[Tim Harris]

so far i would say this is the weakest area of the BB era, but if they close out with graham, jackson, and maybe king I think it will be much improved.

LB recruiting has been our weakest area for years.  This actually has the potential to be one of our better classes.

[onebadrubi]

so far i would say this is the weakest area of the BB era, but if they close out with graham, jackson, and maybe king I think it will be much improved.

Go back and look at the LB pulls from last year.  We pulled some quality players their last year.  Ramsey, Eugene, Hackett, and williams.  We have Ellis for 2 more years as well.  That is a nice core to build around, yet still thin. 

[Pudgepork]

Going back to when Arkansas joined the SEC.  Is
Quentin Caver the only Hawg linebacker with the size,speed
and ability to have played on the best defenses of Bama,
LSU, Fla etc?

Hogs have had other good backers but I just can't
remember any others with the size, speed and all to where
there's no doubt that he'd play on the best sec defenses

[outlawhogeywells]

If you look at Dalton and his height he could grow into a LB

[Uncommon]

Going back to when Arkansas joined the SEC.  Is
Quentin Caver the only Hawg linebacker with the size,speed
and ability to have played on the best defenses of Bama,
LSU, Fla etc?

Hogs have had other good backers but I just can't
remember any others with the size, speed and all to where
there's no doubt that he'd play on the best sec defenses

Jerry Franklin has been the only recent linebacker that was of NFL caliber.  I think Martrell Spaight is of that caliber as well.

Jerico Nelson wasn't bad either but he was more of a safety.

[onebadrubi]

Going back to when Arkansas joined the SEC.  Is
Quentin Caver the only Hawg linebacker with the size,speed
and ability to have played on the best defenses of Bama,
LSU, Fla etc?

Hogs have had other good backers but I just can't
remember any others with the size, speed and all to where
there's no doubt that he'd play on the best sec defenses

......SPAIGHT.....

[onebadrubi]

Jerry Franklin has been the only recent linebacker that was of NFL caliber.  I think Martrell Spaight is of that caliber as well.

Jerico Nelson wasn't bad either but he was more of a safety.

Cam newton loved Nelson being a LB.  Nelson had the heart, speed, and desire, just lacked in the pants needed to play LB, which tended to be a common thing with Petrino's defenses.  Many argued Franklin was playing out of position at LB as well. 

[Uncommon]

Many argued Franklin was playing out of position at LB as well.

When Franklin was playing Mike linebacker, yes.  When Franklin was playing Will linebacker, no.

[Pudgepork]

The very short list of names mentioned shows how
thin the Hogs have been in SEC/NFL type backers for the
last 22 years.

The bright spot is that this coaching staff is proving that they
can judge talent and most importantly, get them to sign

[onebadrubi]

When Franklin was playing Mike linebacker, yes.  When Franklin was playing Will linebacker, no.

I only remember him playing the Mike position.  When we added the weight to him he had the body to play the will definitely. 

[Huckleberry Pig]

I think it's going very well.

get outa here with that positivity.  you're mr. negative, remember?

definitely need one more LB this class and like someone said, wouldn't surprise me if we end up snagging two just based on how everything falls.  either way I think we end up in very good shape on LB's this class. 

[Wildhog]

get outa here with that positivity.  you're mr. negative, remember?

Oh yeah.  Forgot.

We suck.

[Huckleberry Pig]

Oh yeah.  Forgot.

We suck.

better

[HogMantheIntruder]

Jerry Franklin has been the only recent linebacker that was of NFL caliber.  I think Martrell Spaight is of that caliber as well.

Jerico Nelson wasn't bad either but he was more of a safety.

You think Spaight is of that caliber???  He may have been the best linebacker in the SEC this past season.  Spaight > Franklin  No doubt about it.

[Uncommon]

You think Spaight is of that caliber???  He may have been the best linebacker in the SEC this past season.  Spaight > Franklin  No doubt about it.

NFL caliber, not Franklin's caliber.  smh

[HogMantheIntruder]

NFL caliber, not Franklin's caliber.  smh

Ahhhh, that makes much more sense.  I misunderstood.

[onebadrubi]

NFL caliber, not Franklin's caliber.  smh

Are you saying Franklin was better than Spaight?

[Uncommon]

Are you saying Franklin was better than Spaight?

No.

[onebadrubi]

No.

Sorry, that's the way I reading it.  I guess someone put the sauce in my drink this morning. 

[HogMantheIntruder]

Sorry, that's the way I reading it.  I guess someone put the sauce in my drink this morning.

You're not the only one.

[Hoggish1]

Derrick Graham is a commit as well.

He will be a force!

[Hogberry Snortcake]

Jerry Franklin has been the only recent linebacker that was of NFL caliber.  I think Martrell Spaight is of that caliber as well.

Jerico Nelson wasn't bad either but he was more of a safety.

Caleb Miller went in the 3rd or 4th round.  I don't know if that counts as recent.  10 years or so ago. 

[hawginbigd1]

Caleb Miller went in the 3rd or 4th round.  I don't know if that counts as recent.  10 years or so ago.

We have signed a bunch that are rated in the same class as the ones we will probably sign this year, but many didn't pan out with us for some reason, some did.
Caleb Miller
Marcus Whitmore
Van Stumon
Jeb Huckeba
Tyrell Graham
Jelani Smith
Freddie Fairchild
Sam Olajabutu
Tony Bua
Probably a few i am missing,  Miller, Bua, and Olajabutu are probably the only ones that lived up to the hype, although Graham ended up doing pretty well at Houston the few times i saw them play.

[redeye]

LB recruiting has been our weakest area for years.  This actually has the potential to be one of our better classes.

I completely agree Tim.  I'm not a good judge for the LB position, but we seem deeper there today, then we have for many years.