How Transfer Portal Has Added Depth, But Old-Timers Have to Lead

New faces on defensive front help, but Deke Adams counting on senior to be leaders

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Aug 12, 2023 6:33 PM EDT
Original:
Aug 11, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In the rotation going through Arkansas' position groups during fall camp, it was the defensive line's turn Friday morning. Size, depth and experience were the main talking points of the day. Now coach Deke Adams hopes the leadership comes from older guys.

"I’m hoping that it’s Taurean Carter and Cam Ball, Eric Gregory, Zach Williams,” Adams said later. “All those guys that were with me last year, I’m hoping to see another step and a level up in their play this year. They’ve been practicing that way. We have some tough practices, and it’s been fun watching them all compete.

The Razorbacks added four transfer defensive ends in John Morgan III and Trajan Jeffcoat along with tackles Tank Booker and Keivie Rose. It was an area of need and they were able to find players who can step in an play. Just because coaches want the more experienced players to step up doesn't mean there's not a desire to see the newcomers make an difference.

"It’s made a big impact for our D-line,” defensive end Landon Jackson said after practice. “Without the transfer portal, we’d have about three ends that actually have in-game experience is all we would have if we didn’t have the portal. But because of the portal, we’ve got about six ends that have started in Power Five college football, so I think that’ll be really big, having guys who can rotate in and know what they’re about to go up against. I’m excited to see how it goes."

What the Hogs need probably worse than anything are consistent playmakers in the defensive front who can help take pressure off a defensive secondary that's been picked on repeatedly. Quarterback pressures have had to come from blitzing linebackers and others on a regular basis.

"We were trying to obviously get some more playmakers," Adams said. "We were trying to get bigger, and I feel like we did that when we got Jeffcoat, and then you got John Morgan who is a pass-rush guy, but has done a great job against the run. Then you get Tank Booker and Keivie Rose. Man, those guys have just done a great job. It’s been really good. Their football knowledge is good. Keivie didn’t get with us until the end of June, so he only had about a month with us training, but he came in great shape and has great knowledge and all that. So, it’s been really good. I’m excited about them."

In this fall camp, it sounds like Adams has thrown every position group wide open and he's not waiting on games to start. Every practice is important and how players do in each practice is something that's going to matter because the numbers are there to have a strong three-deep rotation.

"My philosophy is if you can make the defense better when you’re on the field, you play whether you’re a senior or a freshman," Adams said. "Those guys have been working their behinds off. They love each other. We have fun together. We go eat together. We hang out. It’s a really unique group and I really love the group I have right now."

The Hogs will be on the field again Saturday morning in a scrimmage, but we're going to have take Sam Pittman's view on how things went along with a couple of players. The entire thing is closed to the public and the media. We will have full video coverage of the postgame at allHOGS.com.

The Hogs start the regular season Sept. 2 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock at 3 p.m. The game won't be on network television and the only way to watch is ESPN+ or listen to the game at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs or 104.5 in Harrison-Mountain Home or online at HitThatLine.com .