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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The linebacker position represents the biggest question mark on the Arkansas football roster. After a handful of departures in the transfer portal, the Razorbacks’ linebackers have just 41 combined tackles in their collegiate careers.
But Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman is happy with what he’s seen from the group through two spring practices. Pittman knows it would be foolish not to pursue another portal linebacker later this spring, but there’s building optimism that the inexperienced group will elevate the position later this fall.
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“You can be a good player, you just sometimes need to get the experience,” Pittman said. “I thought they were good players last year, they just didn’t quite have any experience. This spring ball will give them that experience and we’ll go from there.”
Brad Spence and Xavian Sorey Jr. have been the two starting linebackers through the first two practices and have the most experience in the group. Sorey was a former five-star recruit who just transferred into the program from Georgia, where he recorded 19 total tackles in 2023.
Arkansas Razorback Football vs Western Carolina at War Memorial Stadium September 2, 2023
Spence is a returnee with a massive ceiling. He moves fluidly and has a knack for finding the football, racking up 16 tackles in limited snaps last season. He’s also hungry to be a difference-maker, entering spring practice with a desire to fill the voids left by Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin).
“Yeah, so going into this year my mindset really is just taking that leadership role for the young guys, I have to step up to the plate,” Spence said after…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arkansas-football-coach-sam-pittman-183233763.html
Author : Ft. Smith Southwest Times Record
Publish date : 2024-03-08 18:32:33
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