Arkansas Razorbacks 2009 Defense: Nowhere To Go But Up

If there was any part of the Arkansas Razorbacks that struggled more in 2008 than the special teams, it was the defense.

The Hogs "D" yielded 170.8 rushing yards per game, 375 total yards, and a whopping 31.2 points, all good for 12th in the defensive oriented SEC. In fact, the Hogs defense was a distant 12th in all three categories, giving up almost a touchdown a game more than 11th place Mississippi State.

There were some grumblings among defensive minded fans that first year head coach Bobby Petrino put all the best athletes on offense, didn't care about the defensive unit and so on, as fans will do in a 5-7 season.

Some fans, ignoring the constant drama surrounding the Arkansas program from 2003-2007 and forgetting the fact that the Hog defense on the 8-5 team in 2007 wasn't exactly the '85 Chicago Bears, even pined for departed coach Houston Nutt.

It's easy to forget that the 2004-05 editions of the Hogs were 9-13 and that Nutt, the toast of Oxford, Miss. for now, lost 21 games in his last four years in spite of having some of the more talented teams in Razorback history.

The 2007 team simply outscored the eight opponents they defeated, giving up a lot of points in the process and failing to hold late leads against Alabama, Auburn and Kentucky.

So, what has been done by Petrino and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson, a man who had many fans crying "Free Willy" after the 2008 defensive debacle?

For starters, strength and conditioning coach Jason Veltkamp has had a full offseason to put defensive players in particular through his grueling workouts. The Hogs may not be quite as talented as a few of their opponents in 2009, but they will not be outconditioned by anyone.

Defensive bellcow Malcolm Sheppard is up around 295 lbs. and is an All-SEC type player. End Jake Bequette is at 270 with 4.66 speed, and according to Robinson is as good a pro prospect as the Hogs have.

Linebacker Jerry Franklin is at a rock solid 241 and was one of only two players to intercept a Tim Tebow pass in the 2008 regular season. Freddy Burton is up in the 230's and the depth at linebacker is way better than a year ago.

Freshman Terrell Williams is a future star. Former safeties Jerrico Nelson and Brett Harris add quality depth at outside linebacker.

Wendel Davis is solid in the middle, if undersized. Jermaine Love or Austin Moss need to step up as backups there.

No unit at Arkansas has undergone more of a facelift than the secondary in the last year with the additions of JC transfers Andru Stewart, Rudell Crim and Anthony Leon and freshmen David Gordon and Darius Winston.

All are expected to play early, with the possible exception of Winston who has fallen down the depth chart recently, but is likely too talented to redshirt.

Leon is a monster at 6'4", 230 lbs., with a reported 42 inch vertical and is pushing returning starter Matt Harris for playing time at free safety.

Elton Ford returns at strong safety after breaking three bones in his neck last season, but is backing up converted corner Tremain Thomas.

All in all, the team speed is much better on defense in 2009, there is much more size in the line and there is so much more depth in 2009 than last season, the unit can't help but be better.

In addition to dealing with heavy player losses and suspensions in 2008, the Hogs defense had to make massive changes in philosophy. Going from all out blitzing in spite of mediocre coverage in the secondary to a more zone oriented approach often had many players thinking instead of reacting.

With the 2009 season on the verge of kicking off, expect the Arkansas defense to be much improved. Not dominant, mind you, but with the offensive firepower assembled by Bobby Petrino, this team should be able to win enough shootouts to return Arkansas to a bowl.

There is more excitement for this season than any in a decade or so. Expect the Hogs to lay the foundation this season for a possible SEC title run in 2010.