HawgBeat - Arkansas Football 2024 Spring Preview: Linebacker
HawgBeat previews the Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker room ahead of spring practice ramping up in a couple weeks.
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With Arkansas' spring football set to start on March 7, HawgBeat will continue its series of previewing positions for the 2024 Razorbacks.
According to HawgBeat's calculations, head coach Sam Pittman and the Hogs currently sit with 84 scholarship players going into spring ball, which leaves one open spot to fill when the transfer portal opens back up in April.
Led by defensive coordinator Travis Williams, the linebacker room is dangerously thin after the transfer departures of Chris Paul Jr. and Jaheim Thomas. The Razorbacks have added some talented newcomers through the transfer portal and high school ranks, but will likely add another through the portal in April.
We continue our spring positional previews with a look at Arkansas' linebackers, including stats, highlights, spring thoughts and expectations.
Returning: Brad Spence (Sophomore), Alex Sanford (Redshirt Freshman), Carson Dean (Redshirt Freshman), Kaden Henley (Redshirt Sophomore)
Newcomers: Xavian Sorey Jr. (Redshirt Junior), Wyatt Simmons (Freshman), Bradley Shaw (Freshman), Justin Logan (Freshman)
The Returners:
Brad Spence:
Sophomore / 6'2", 237 lbs./ Klein Forest HS (TX)
2023 Stats: 16 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, INT
2023 PFF Grades: 94 snaps, 70.1 DEF, 53.0 RDEF, 36.5 TACK, 58.2 PRSH, 90.4 COV
Spring Thoughts: The only returning linebacker with major experience, Spence has an amazing opportunity in front of him as the Hogs head into spring practice. It's essentially a foregone conclusion that Arkansas will add a portal linebacker during the spring window, but Spence could do himself a lot of favors by showing the coaching staff that he's ready to be a reliable contributor during the 2024 season.
"He has a physical presence," Williams said last fall. "He comes in and you can see him, he looks like he’s a sophomore or junior in college. He has heavy hands and does a really good job striking. Has really good change of direction. And he has really good speed, he’s learning the system. So, the sky is the limit for him."
Alex Sanford:
Redshirt Freshman / 6'1", 227 lbs./ Oxford HS (MS)
2023 Stats: 1 total tackle
2023 PFF Grades: 4 total snaps, 62.7 DEF, 60.6 RDEF, 60.0 COV
Spring Thoughts: Much like Spence, this is Sanford's time to shine as far as moving up the depth chart. After receiving little playing time last season, Sanford has a real shot at cracking the two-deep with a strong spring showing.
"Alex didn’t go through spring ball and you can just see right now he’s just running to the ball as fast as he can go," Williams said last fall. "He likes to play physical and he’s learning the system. He’s just 12 days into practice, but you can see the skillset in all three of those guys."
The Rest:
Kaden Henley: Redshirt Sophomore / 6'2", 230 lbs./ Shiloh Christian Academy (AR)
2023 Stats: N/A
2023 PFF Grades: N/A
Carson Dean: Redshirt Freshman / 6'4", 234 lbs. / Hebron HS (TX)
2023 Stats: N/A
2023 PFF Grades: 7 total snaps, 71.0 DEF, 67.4 RDEF, 61.0 COV
Spring Thoughts: As far as legitimate playing time goes, Henley needs to make a move and fast. The days of true development in college football are nearly over due to the transfer portal, and time is wearing thin for the Arkansas native to dawn a Razorback uniform on the field.
On the other hand, Dean has an SEC-frame and has some positional versatility because of that. A similar size to former Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders, Dean was a tackles-for-loss machine in high school and could replicate that in Fayetteville after another offseason of training.
Newcomers:
Xavian Sorey Jr.:
Redshirt Junior / 6'3", 220 lbs./ Georgia
2023 Stats: 19 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks
2023 PFF Grades: 188 total snaps, 61.0 DEF, 57.4 RDEF, 80.3 TACK, 56.0 PRSH, 66.1 COV
Spring Thoughts: Looking at his production for the Georgia Bulldogs and it's fair to question the hype around Sorey. However, a look at the film and the excitement levels start to rise. A physical specimen with a mean streak, Georgia fans were not happy to see Sorey leave the program after being one of the team's best tacklers.
It'd be fairly surprising to not see Sorey in the starting lineup on gameday, but he'll have to earn it during the spring. With his experience in a winning program and track record of explosive play, Sorey should fit right into Williams' defensive scheme for the Razorbacks.
"Sorey is an athlete, a guy that can run side to side," Pittman said on Dec. 20. "We’ll turn him loose and see what happens. But he was used primarily there more in his career as a pass rusher."
Bradley Shaw:
Freshman / 6'1", 215 lbs./ Hoover HS (AL)
2023 HS Stats: 109 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss
Spring Thoughts: A recruiting coup for the Hogs during the offseason, Shaw brings a game-ready mindset to the Hogs and should be able to use the spring to set him up for early playing time in the fall. Here's what Rivals National Recruiting Analyst John Garcia Jr. had to say about Shaw in December.
"As an off-ball linebacker, there is a combination of explosiveness and control with which Shaw works with. He works outside in like a seasoned player, working leverage and balance while attacking with great pad level. The speed to power shows upon contact, where brings plenty of pop at 215 pounds or so. When it comes time to open up the stride, however, Shaw can patrol sideline to sideline with enough long speed to chase down ball carriers from the back side of the play and/or down the field."
The Rest:
Wyatt Simmons: Freshman / 6'1", 213 lbs./ Harding Academy (AR)
2023 Stats: 77 total tackles, 13.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks
Justin Logan: Freshman / 6'2", 213 lbs. / Kell HS (GA)
2023 HS Stats: 52 total tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks
Spring Thoughts: Starting with Simmons, one look at the film and the potential just oozes from the tape. Like any freshman, there will be a transition period to acclimate to the collegiate level and especially the SEC, but don't be shocked to see Simmons dominating opponents in a year after putting on some weight.
"Well, Wyatt, let’s start with him. Very, very, very, very, very aggressive," Pittman said. "Daddy obviously is a great coach. But Wyatt comes from, obviously, a father (who has a) background in coaching. Very, very physical. Can run. Played a little bit of everything — played tight end, played running back. But he’s a linebacker. He’s a mike linebacker, to me. He can play willy, too, but he’s a guy who can go sic ‘em, go after the football."
One of the least talked-about recruits in the class, Logan was a highly-rated three-star out of high school but has four-star potential. A former high school wide receiver, Logan has the length, speed and power to make a difference at the Power Five level with his ability to cover and rush the passer. He may be a year or so away from contributing, but Logan is the perfect fit for an aggressive-style of defense.
"Logan was a guy who wasn’t quite as highly recruited as those guys, but we really liked his size," Pittman said. "T-Will kind of when after him. That was his guy that he goes (after), he knew a little about him and things of that nature character-wise. Great kid."
