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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The first three years of Arkansas football under Bret Bielema have been all about constant improvement. The Razorbacks have gone from three wins to seven to eight, and they’re looking for that trend to continue in 2016.
That’s not going to be easy. There are a lot of critical spots to fill, especially on offense, and there are plenty of areas that need to show improvement after struggling a year ago.
Here are five biggest areas of concern as the Razorbacks plow through four weeks of spring practice:
Pass defense: The Razorbacks were a disaster defending the pass last year, finishing dead last in the SEC. It’s the most important area of improvement necessary this spring and things are changing under new secondary coach Paul Rhoads. The former Iowa State head coach and longtime defensive coordinator is enjoying being a position coach again, and he’s loving all the teaching that comes along with it.
“Paul Rhoads is a very firm man,” Arkansas safety Santos Ramirez said Thursday after the team’s second practice of the spring. “He is working on our eyes because we had our eyes at the wrong spot last year on some plays and he understands football is a game of inches. We are very glad we have Paul Rhoads as our coach. He is a great coach.”
Because several have asked: The white helmet stripes help coaches/players see on film where their eyes are looking during plays.
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) March 31, 2016
“We’re all excited to have Coach Rhoads with us. He’s a good teacher,” Arkansas junior safety Joshua Liddell said. “He has been teaching us some things. We’re all learning with open ears and open eyes. He’s fun, you can definitely tell where he’s coming from.”
Offensive line: When Bielema was going through his informal depth chart on Monday, he went on and on about several offensive linemen being able to play multiple positions. That probably is a good thing, but it’s also masking another issue. In early April at least, there’s no set group of five guys who can be written into the starting lineup in September in permanent ink. Bielema mentioned 10 guys alone on Monday and only 6-foot-10 senior Dan Skipper seems set at right tackle.
“For me, it’s all about getting the five best players out there,” Bielema said.
So true, and that’s what spring is going to be about, determining which five will give Arkansas the best chance of moving the ball up and down the field in the fall.
The front seven on defense: Bielema likes to be physical up front on defense and use a lot of players. That’s not going to be a problem along the line, but some depth needs to be found at linebacker.
The Razorbacks’ D-line is going to be really good.
“We have a squad,” Arkansas middle linebacker Brooks Ellis said Thursday. “They take up so much space and move around real well. It is fun to be behind them.”
Everyone can’t wait to see freshman defensive lineman McTelvin Agim – probably Bielema’s most important recruit so far – line up in the fall. He should make an immediate impact. Linebacker depth is minimal for now but there’s plenty of talent to start with after Ellis. Dre Greenlaw should have an impressive second year, and Bielema likes what he sees of Randy Ramsey and Khalia Hackett.
Day 1 mindset: Even after earning eight wins and beating good teams like Ole Miss and LSU down the stretch, the stench from early-season losses to Toledo and Texas Tech simply doesn’t go away. It’s very clear in social media, where any time a Hogs fans tries to say something nice, opposing fans quickly throw the ugly losses in their face.
Same holds true for the players and coaches. They know it’s critical to get off to a good start in 2016 if the winning trend is going to continue. That’s why getting back to work and accomplishing a lot is important. September games with Louisiana Tech, TCU, Texas State and Texas A&M are going to be critical.
“I’m excited about this group,” Bielema said. “I’m looking forward to guys getting better and I’m looking forward to seeing three new coaches get out there working too. It’s a fun time, and we want to get a lot done.”
Quarterbacks: With everything said above, the success of the Razorbacks is going to depend primarily on sound quarterback play. Brandon Allen is gone after starting for three years and his younger brother Austin seems to be the heir apparent to take over, although three others – Rafe Peavey, Ricky Town and Ty Storey – all have great resumes and will contend.
Getting them comfortable in the spring is critical. What’s not critical, Bielema says, is a sure-fire starter emerging by the end of the spring game on April 23. But let’s be honest. This is Austin Allen’s job to lose. If he’s not looking like the starter at the end of April, then he’s had a bad spring and has let the door open for someone else to take over.
Allen is the most experienced of the four, and he needs to step up and lead the way this spring.
Bielema: Says Austin Allen is No. 1 QB, then Rafe Peavey, Ty Storey, Ricky Town "all kind of equal"
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) March 28, 2016
Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist and author who is covering SEC football for Saturday Down South.
