Line-Backers
"I believe in our players, staff and our state. I believe in our direction that we're heading in and where we're going to rise to the challenge for a great 2024 season."
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How Did We Get Here?
The portal giveth and the portal taketh… We lost a lot of Linebackers for good or worse to the portal. We had some talented young guys but the portal brought in some dynamic talent. Time will tell but that room is one to watch as the season approaches.
Meet Coach Michael Scherer
Scherer’s linebackers helped improve an Arkansas defense that allowed 84 yards less in 2021 than 2020, including 39 fewer yards per game rushing. The Hogs’ defense also found themselves in the opponent’s back field more often in 2021, making 79 tackles for loss compared to 50 in 2020. Henry led the squad with 12 tackles for loss. Perhaps the most impressive stat, however, was in points allowed per game where the Razorbacks shaved 12 points per game off the team’s average compared to 2020 (22.9 ppg in 2021 – 34.9 ppg in 2020).
Scherer came with associate head coach/defensive coordinator Barry Odom from Missouri to Arkansas in 2020. He was vital in the turnaround of the Razorback defense, stepping into an on-field coaching role during the Florida week when Odom served as head coach during Pittman’s absence due to COVID-19.
What Should We Look For?
In a year that the results were less than favorable it makes sense in today’s climate of NIL and Transfer Portal for the roster to have some turn over… The roster breaks down with 16 Players in the Mid-Field:
- 8 Freshmen/Red Shirt Freshmen
- 4 Sophomores/Red Shirt Sophomores
- 2 Juniors/Red Shirt Juniors
- 2 Seniors/Red Shirt Seniors
Starters: Brad Spence, sophomore, and Xavian Worthy, junior
Reserves: Larry Worth, junior; Stephen Dix Jr., junior; Alex Sanford, sophomore; Carson Dean, freshman; Bradley Shaw, freshman
Wild cards: Worth, Dix, and Shaw, who all joined the team in the summer.
Top Guys to Watch 👇
#10 Xavian Sorey Jr.– Redshirt Junior
6′ 3″ | 224 lbs
Bio: At Georgia 2023 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE): Played in 11 games with two starts … Finished the year with 19 total tackles (15 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss, including 1.0 sack … Recorded one pass breakup and was credited with five quarterback pressures … Tallied a team-high six tackles, including five solo, against UAB (Sept. 23) … Had a sack for a loss of two yards against Auburn (Sept. 30) … Broke up a pass against Kentucky (Oct. 7) … Started at linebacker and racked up five solo tackles in the SEC Championship game against Alabama (Dec. 2).
Brad Spence – Sophomore
6′ 2″ | 240 lbs
Bio: 2023 (FRESHMAN): Played in 11 games with one start as a true freshman, making 16 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one interception … Picked off a pass in his collegiate debut vs. Western Carolina (Sept. 2), returning it 85 yards for a touchdown – the first of a nation-leading four pick sixes for the team on the season … Earned his first career start vs. Kent State (Sept. 9), making three tackles … Logged a single solo stop vs. BYU (Sept. 16) … Recorded a career-best four tackles vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 30) and recovered a fumble … Made two tackles, including a half tackle for loss, at Ole Miss (Oct. 7) … Tallied a pair of stops at Alabama (Oct. 14) … Made two solo stops, including a tackle for loss, vs. Auburn (Nov. 11).
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About BigPapaSmall
Brian Small aka BigPapaSmall is a life long die hard Arkansas Razorbacks fan. With a passion for sports and a nature of talking… The time came to put the passion to work and talk to you about sports and life on the Podcast and Blog Posts. Thank you for taking the time to be here, the goal is to provide you with the most value possibly.
