What about LB and DB?

[Oklahawg]

Anyone care to make some predictions on additional commits at LB and DB?

Are we done? Who is on your wishlist?

(Lots of RB chatter...thought I'd get us thinking on the other side of the ball.)

[Hawghiggs]

   I would like these three in the secondary.

1 , https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Kristian-Fulton-152415

2, https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-CaRon-Baham-151560

3, https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Isaiah-Simmons-165496

[Hawghiggs]

 I also wouldn't mind flipping this young man to us. https://rivals.yahoo.com/arkansas/football/recruiting/player-Eric-Kendzior-169611   I get that we normally recruit better, but take a look at that GPA. Talk about helping the APR out.

[jackflash]

Have been wondering about DB myself. I was hoping we would a couple from Texas this year

[hawginbigd1]

Fulton at DB and Donta Evans at LB

[Oklahawg]

Fulton at DB and Donta Evans at LB

I like that. Evans would be a flip from OM, right? Fulton is thought to be an LSU lean?

[IronHog]

Arkansas always needs either needs middle guys/LBers or DBs that can slide down to WLB/nickel.

Really a big Achilles heel of recruiting.

[hawginbigd1]

I like that. Evans would be a flip from OM, right? Fulton is thought to be an LSU lean?

Yeah I think Evans is on the fence and our winning ways might just be enough to push him over, Fulton I think is wide open, but we are on the short list. I don't think it can hurt to have a team mate tugging on his sleeve.

[Wildhog]

We recently offered this LB, so it looks like they're trying to bring in one more.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-A.J.-Hotchkins-170299

[ricepig]

We recently offered this LB, so it looks like they're trying to bring in one more.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-A.J.-Hotchkins-170299

I don't hold out much hope, he'll have to stay an extra semester to qualify for a SEC school.

[hawginbigd1]

We recently offered this LB, so it looks like they're trying to bring in one more.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-A.J.-Hotchkins-170299

I feel better about White than this guy, i believe he is all Duck.

[Wildhog]

I feel better about White than this guy, i believe he is all Duck.

That's what's been said.  I'm just saying, it sounds like they're not done at LB.

[ricepig]

That's what's been said.  I'm just saying, it sounds like they're not done at LB.

No doubt, something doesn't add up in their math according to my math, haha. Of course, they actually know what the numbers are, compared to me.

[onebadrubi]

That's what's been said.  I'm just saying, it sounds like they're not done at LB.

I'm ok with that though.  In our system a LB can play many different ways.  They are great bodies to have for special teams, full backs, and then the obvious the LB'er position.  We also will probably see a lb'er here and there brought in simply to be a 4th and 5th year player, it's Bielema's style. 

[bigdaddyhawg]

I don't know who we're on or who we have a chance with, but after watching last night's demolition of our defense, I'm asking, no BEGGING, that our coaching staff do whatever they have to do to get us an influx of talent on our defense, especially at LB and S.

If we don't get some talent at those positions and quickly, we're going to have lots more nights where our D gives up 50 points and a gillion yards passing.

[presidenthog]

I don't know who we're on or who we have a chance with, but after watching last night's demolition of our defense, I'm asking, no BEGGING, that our coaching staff do whatever they have to do to get us an influx of talent on our defense, especially at LB and S.

If we don't get some talent at those positions and quickly, we're going to have lots more nights where our D gives up 50 points and a gillion yards passing.

bret definitely said they are looking to add more on the defensive side of the ball. we still need OL and RB.  I know we are running out of spots in this class. I wish we would process some non contributors but we wont.

[bigdaddyhawg]

bret definitely said they are looking to add more on the defensive side of the ball. we still need OL and RB.  I know we are running out of spots in this class. I wish we would process some non contributors but we wont.

Yep, that's a tough one.  I respect CBB so much for that position, but it puts so much pressure to hit with the few guys we're going to sign.

I hate myself for even thinking this, but I'd love to see us find a JC kid, like Spaight, who could come in with maturity and be a difference maker, even though it took MS until the second year to produce.

[deedster84]

IMO, there are going to be some big names we haven't heard about yet after the season. Especially, with a lot of these coaching changes. Minds are going to change.

[ldfergu]

IMO, there are going to be some big names we haven't heard about yet after the season. Especially, with a lot of these coaching changes. Minds are going to change.

I hope so but a lot of times the new coach sells himself and makes the kid believe in the mission. We definitely need some studs defensively

[ldfergu]

Seems like we play Bijhon more against running teams. Can he develop more into an every down and pass rush guy? Just too big?

What about Froholdt next year?

[PorkRinds]

Seems like we play Bijhon more against running teams. Can he develop more into an every down and pass rush guy? Just too big?

What about Froholdt next year?

I believe Hjalte will be a force on the inside next year after a year of experience and another with Herbert. 

[presidenthog]

Seems like we play Bijhon more against running teams. Can he develop more into an every down and pass rush guy? Just too big?

What about Froholdt next year?

I think bijon and Froholdt are both just run stop guys. right now we are putting our DE'S on the inside against spread teams and on 3rd down.

[ldfergu]

Also- is Anthony Brown still on the team?

[bigdaddyhawg]

Also- is Anthony Brown still on the team?

Excellent question!!  I thought about him several times last night as I was watching our sluggish looking DE's get no pass rush down after down.

[Oklahawg]

Brown is redshirting, the last I heard.

[whosiskid]

Froholdt will be an excellent pass rusher. His biggest attribute is his athleticism and agility. That is why he could have played DE. But they decided they were a little thinner at DT than DE. I think he'll be an every down DT as early as next year.

[presidenthog]

Excellent question!!  I thought about him several times last night as I was watching our sluggish looking DE's get no pass rush down after down.

I believe that we have one defensive end that was injured and hasn't really been able to come back from it fully. CBB said he told him he might want to start considering other options.  it may have been brown. CBB said in a press conference that he and that individual will discuss where he is after the season and he will do something where he is still on scholarship but it frees up a spot.

[hogman78]

I believe that we have one defensive end that was injured and hasn't really been able to come back from it fully. CBB said he told him he might want to start considering other options.  it may have been brown. CBB said in a press conference that he and that individual will discuss where he is after the season and he will do something where he is still on scholarship but it frees up a spot.

I think that is Brandon Lewis

[presidenthog]

yes B Lew is what he called him. yes that is who it was.

[bigdaddyhawg]

Brown is redshirting, the last I heard.

Hopefully he comes back strong, because I've seen some serious flashes from that kid.

He could be that speed rusher IMO.

[Nuttcracker, Sweet!]

One of the most discouraging things about the way our pass defense keeps getting shredded is that so few DBs are committed.

Agim will hopefully improve the rush along with development from some of the holdovers and that will help a lot, but we need some fast twitch CBs and safeties.

Speed alone will not cure all the ills due to bad angles and bad tackling, but it would help a lot.

Fulton would be #1 on my list of wants. I think Greenlaw will continue to get better and better at LB and hopefully Graham and another redshirt or two can improve the athleticism at the LB spot and maybe Carmouche or another freshman.

[onebadrubi]

One of the most discouraging things about the way our pass defense keeps getting shredded is that so few DBs are committed.

Agim will hopefully improve the rush along with development from some of the holdovers and that will help a lot, but we need some fast twitch CBs and safeties.

Speed alone will not cure all the ills due to bad angles and bad tackling, but it would help a lot.

Fulton would be #1 on my list of wants. I think Greenlaw will continue to get better and better at LB and hopefully Graham and another redshirt or two can improve the athleticism at the LB spot and maybe Carmouche or another freshman.

We have good solid numbers at DB so long as we continue to recruit them the next two years we will have a nice setup there each year adding younger talent as older players graduate. We are seeing Richardson really step up, saw pulley a little bit early in the year, get dean and Collins back next year and there is a few others sitting on the bench just waiting.

[Oklahawg]

We have good solid numbers at DB so long as we continue to recruit them the next two years we will have a nice setup there each year adding younger talent as older players graduate. We are seeing Richardson really step up, saw pulley a little bit early in the year, get dean and Collins back next year and there is a few others sitting on the bench just waiting.

Forgot this but it was mentioned somewhere - DJ Dean has been fighting turf toe all year.

[Styflin]

We have around 6-7 slots left in this class if I'm not mistaken. We need two RBs and 3 OL at a minimum. Numbers are tight.

Coach commented that he hasn't recruited well enough numbers wise at LB the last couple classes. This begs the question...

Why do we have 4 WRs, a 2 star TE, and a QB currently committed? One would think that 4 of those players aren't really needed in this class.

We have major holes and it appears IMO that we have some committed that we don't really need.

[onebadrubi]

Forgot this but it was mentioned somewhere - DJ Dean has been fighting turf toe all year.

Yup and its giving all the practice reps to younger guys as well as a little game time. If you notice are CB's aren't getting beat on the outside that much.  Our middle is open obviously but we do have 2 pretty good corners. 

[onebadrubi]

We have around 6-7 slots left in this class if I'm not mistaken. We need two RBs and 3 OL at a minimum. Numbers are tight.

Coach commented that he hasn't recruited well enough numbers wise at LB the last couple classes. This begs the question...

Why do we have 4 WRs, a 2 star TE, and a QB currently committed? One would think that 4 of those players aren't really needed in this class.

We have major holes and it appears IMO that we have some committed that we don't really need.

See what D reed has done for us this year with his spoed at WR and now kick off return?  We are desperately searching for more of that I believe. Also make it 3 WR's as I'm not sure ANYONE knows just where Hammonds will wind up just yet.

[presidenthog]

We have around 6-7 slots left in this class if I'm not mistaken. We need two RBs and 3 OL at a minimum. Numbers are tight.

Coach commented that he hasn't recruited well enough numbers wise at LB the last couple classes. This begs the question...

Why do we have 4 WRs, a 2 star TE, and a QB currently committed? One would think that 4 of those players aren't really needed in this class.

We have major holes and it appears IMO that we have some committed that we don't really need.

ok I can say with the WR that all of those WR will red shirt. after next year we will have a max exodus at the WR postion. Hatcher will redshirt and come back next year. So next year we lose hollister, reed, hatcher, and morgan. I may be missing one. I believe Cornelius is a JR next year. so that is basically all of our deep except 1. that is why we are taking all of the WR. also we just removed 2. the 2 star TE... idk I mean I figure Hunter is gone this year and after next year sprinkle will be gone. I can't see some random 2 star TE making the field with the 3 4 stars we got last year until they are gone. that is the one I will agree with. CBB says he will take a QB every year. expect some transfers so that will even itself out.

[Styflin]

ok I can say with the WR that all of those WR will red shirt. after next year we will have a max exodus at the WR postion. Hatcher will redshirt and come back next year. So next year we lose hollister, reed, hatcher, and morgan. I may be missing one. I believe Cornelius is a JR next year. so that is basically all of our deep except 1. that is why we are taking all of the WR. also we just removed 2. the 2 star TE... idk I mean I figure Hunter is gone this year and after next year sprinkle will be gone. I can't see some random 2 star TE making the field with the 3 4 stars we got last year until they are gone. that is the one I will agree with. CBB says he will take a QB every year. expect some transfers so that will even itself out.

I think we need 2 of the 4 WRs they have committed. A dynamic freshman WR can come in a make an impact, so we can refocus on that group in the next class if needed.

The QB is no longer a need with the Ricky Town transfer. Honestly didn't think we needed him that much before the transfer. Still have Austin, Rafe, Ty, and now Ricky. If Cole was a highly recruited and ranked QB I could see it, but I'm not sure that position is worth committing a spot to right now.

We certainly don't need a TE unless he is an elite player. Maybe the one we have committed is elite, but his ranking and offers says he isn't. We don't know about Hunter and we just redshirted 3 four star TEs. Still have Sprink and Krause.

We have major concerns on defense. Our depth problems are across the board. Our special teams need real scholoeship players.

I would prefer we use 3-4 of those slots on DB, DL, and LB.

[presidenthog]

I think we need 2 of the 4 WRs they have committed. A dynamic freshman WR can come in a make an impact, so we can refocus on that group in the next class if needed.

The QB is no longer a need with the Ricky Town transfer. Honestly didn't think we needed him that much before the transfer. Still have Austin, Rafe, Ty, and now Ricky. If Cole was a highly recruited and ranked QB I could see it, but I'm not sure that position is worth committing a spot to right now.

We certainly don't need a TE unless he is an elite player. Maybe the one we have committed is elite, but his ranking and offers says he isn't. We don't know about Hunter and we just redshirted 3 four star TEs. Still have Sprink and Krause.

We have major concerns on defense. Our depth problems are across the board. Our special teams need real scholoeship players.

I would prefer we use 3-4 of those slots on DB, DL, and LB.

I'm sorry but you are incorrect a stud freshman WR will never come in and play immediately here. in our system you have to know the whole playbook, know where to line up, and we require our WR'S to be able to read coverages similar to a qb, because our routes have options depending on coverage.  I do not think in our system you will ever see a freshman start from day 1 no matter how gifted.


also on cole kelly, we are going to take a qb. this is the first qb that we have taken that had not been committed several years prior for this staff. I also have read LSU fans comments on him and I'll say that they are not flattering. they don't think highly of his ability(but what would they know about good QB play?) , even more troubling though they do not speak highly of his character. some of the descriptions of him were "he is a turd, let arky have him" "we have no interest in that trouble maker and that's fine by me". idk what they know that we don't but usually I feel this staff vets a player pretty well but you never know.

[Exit Pursued by a Boar]

Yeah I think Evans is on the fence and our winning ways might just be enough to push him over, Fulton I think is wide open, but we are on the short list. I don't think it can hurt to have a team mate tugging on his sleeve.

I hope we get Evans, but "our winning ways"?  We're 6-5. 

EFBAB

[Exit Pursued by a Boar]

We have around 6-7 slots left in this class if I'm not mistaken. We need two RBs and 3 OL at a minimum. Numbers are tight.

Coach commented that he hasn't recruited well enough numbers wise at LB the last couple classes. This begs the question...

Why do we have 4 WRs, a 2 star TE, and a QB currently committed? One would think that 4 of those players aren't really needed in this class.

We have major holes and it appears IMO that we have some committed that we don't really need.

You get a QB every year. You have to.  The TE? They see something in him, and TEs sometimes become LBs or FBs. Some TEs even become OLs-- see Peters, Jason. 4 WRs?  We do have a lot, and that number seems high.  Are any of them possible CBs?

EFBAB

[JoeyCapital]

We have around 6-7 slots left in this class if I'm not mistaken. We need two RBs and 3 OL at a minimum. Numbers are tight.

Coach commented that he hasn't recruited well enough numbers wise at LB the last couple classes. This begs the question...

Why do we have 4 WRs, a 2 star TE, and a QB currently committed? One would think that 4 of those players aren't really needed in this class.

We have major holes and it appears IMO that we have some committed that we don't really need.

The state of our WR corp wasn't good at all when those offers were extended. Even before the injuries WR was a huge question mark. Nobody knew Morgan, Reed, and Jc were gonna turn out to be one of the best units in the SEC.

Can't get on the staff now for having outstanding offers to receivers. That's a classic mmqb.

[Oklahawg]

We have around 6-7 slots left in this class if I'm not mistaken. We need two RBs and 3 OL at a minimum. Numbers are tight.

Coach commented that he hasn't recruited well enough numbers wise at LB the last couple classes. This begs the question...

Why do we have 4 WRs, a 2 star TE, and a QB currently committed? One would think that 4 of those players aren't really needed in this class.

We have major holes and it appears IMO that we have some committed that we don't really need.

You recruit a complete team each class, basically. That is 22 guys. Then, the last 3 slots flesh out specific needs or "best player available." When you deviate from that too far you get in trouble, and wind up like Nutt with 9 DBs in one class.

I still look for almost 25 and an almost complete starting 22.

[Hawk]

I'm sorry but you are incorrect a stud freshman WR will never come in and play immediately here. in our system you have to know the whole playbook, know where to line up, and we require our WR'S to be able to read coverages similar to a qb, because our routes have options depending on coverage.  I do not think in our system you will ever see a freshman start from day 1 no matter how gifted.


also on cole kelly, we are going to take a qb. this is the first qb that we have taken that had not been committed several years prior for this staff. I also have read LSU fans comments on him and I'll say that they are not flattering. they don't think highly of his ability(but what would they know about good QB play?) , even more troubling though they do not speak highly of his character. some of the descriptions of him were "he is a turd, let arky have him" "we have no interest in that trouble maker and that's fine by me". idk what they know that we don't but usually I feel this staff vets a player pretty well but you never know.

They don't know anything about him, other than he seems to have never been that interested in LSWho. The people I know that know him have all spoken to his enormous talent in football, basketball, and baseball. The kid can play them all.

Last week in the state play-off's, he rolled an ankle in the 1st quarter. He played the rest of the game, and pushed his team into another win. This Friday night, his team takes on their arch, crosstown rival for the right to play in the championship game in the Superdome. He has already beaten that team once this year, soundly. Hope he does it again. With all that said, Cole is all Hog and, personally, I like that in him. He wants to be a Razorback. Those kind of kids are always worth having.

[PorkRinds]

I'm sorry but you are incorrect a stud freshman WR will never come in and play immediately here. in our system you have to know the whole playbook, know where to line up, and we require our WR'S to be able to read coverages similar to a qb, because our routes have options depending on coverage.  I do not think in our system you will ever see a freshman start from day 1 no matter how gifted.


also on cole kelly, we are going to take a qb. this is the first qb that we have taken that had not been committed several years prior for this staff. I also have read LSU fans comments on him and I'll say that they are not flattering. they don't think highly of his ability(but what would they know about good QB play?) , even more troubling though they do not speak highly of his character. some of the descriptions of him were "he is a turd, let arky have him" "we have no interest in that trouble maker and that's fine by me". idk what they know that we don't but usually I feel this staff vets a player pretty well but you never know.

Cole was involved in a shooting where one of his friends died.  He and his friends had been drinking, and he (I think the story was that he had only had one beer or something) decided to drive his very intoxicated friend home.  As they pulled into his neighborhood, a neighbor came out and started shooting, thinking the kids were breaking into his car.  The neighbor was charged, and found guilty.  Kelley never had any charges, and testified against the shooter.  He still has a bullet lodged in his leg.  They can talk about his character all day long, but if it's that incident they are holding against him, it says more about them than it does him.  JMO of course.

[Styflin]

You recruit a complete team each class, basically. That is 22 guys. Then, the last 3 slots flesh out specific needs or "best player available." When you deviate from that too far you get in trouble, and wind up like Nutt with 9 DBs in one class.

I still look for almost 25 and an almost complete starting 22.

I agree on the complete class sentiment. The problem is IMO that previous classes have been imbalanced. Bret admitted as much after the game. We started the season looking at a class of around 18. Some players have moved on and some will go to the NFL. The latest number is 21-22. More things have to happen to get to the 25 mark and that may very well be the final number.

We are in desperate need in certain areas. We already know that the next 5-6 slots need to be OL and RB. That puts us at 21 commits. Where do the DB, LB, and DL numbers come from? I maintain that 4 WRs, a TE, and a QB aren't exactly top priorities in this class. I could be wrong.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

You recruit a complete team each class, basically. That is 22 guys. Then, the last 3 slots flesh out specific needs or "best player available." When you deviate from that too far you get in trouble, and wind up like Nutt with 9 DBs in one class.

I still look for almost 25 and an almost complete starting 22.

If we are actually taking around 25, then that's significant.  We've generally been operating on the assumption that it's more like 22ish.

[Tim Harris]

I'm not sure if we will take anymore LB but we definitely need some DBs

[TNhawgfan]

I hope we get Evans, but "our winning ways"?  We're 6-5. 

I thought that was an odd quote too. Record wise, we've underachieved what just about everyone had for us before the season started

[onebadrubi]

I'm not sure if we will take anymore LB but we definitely need some DBs

Think it's that bad?

We lose two this year (Mckinney and Gaines). 
Lose two the following year being Dean and Collins (also Thurman).
We have three with two years of eligibilty left after this year. (Richardson, Liddell, Tolliver)
Three years of eligibility left (Floyd and Ramirez)
Freshman this year (Reid,Keaton,Sykes, Pulley, Dalton)

We have 1 committed now.  I think we will see 1 or 2 added max.