FAYETTEVILLE -- The University of Arkansas is on spring break this week, but they will resume practice next week prior to the spring game on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m.
The Razorbacks return Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr. as the starting linebackers. The two combined for 169 tackles in 2024. Sorey topped the Hogs with 99 tackles, 41 solo. He also had two sacks, a pass breakup and intercepted a pass. Dix finished with 70 tackles, 24 solo, two sacks, a pass breakup and one fumble recovery. Those two are solid, but Sam Pittman recently addressed what he has behind them.
"(Bradley) Shaw," Pittman said. "Shaw would be that. It’s unfortunate that we had a hamstring pull with Wyatt Simmons. But JJ Shelton is kind of there. But the top three would be those two, as you said, and then Shaw and we’re certainly counting on Wyatt Simmons to probably be the next guy."
Shaw and Simmons were true freshmen on the team last season. Shaw saw action and finished with 13 tackles, four solo, and had one sack. Simmons redshirted though he did see action in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Shelton is a true freshman from Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff who enrolled in January.
Simmons is from Harding Academy High School in Searcy. As a senior, he helped Harding Academy to a 15-0 record and Class 4A state championship. He had 77 tackles, 13 for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble and one recovered fumble. On offense, he rushed 18 times for 79 yards and eight touchdowns. His father, Paul Simmons, is the head coach at Harding University in Searcy.
As far as the overall defense, Pittman talked about who has impressed him through six practices.
"Quincy Rhodes, Ian Geffrard and Danny Saili," Pittman said. "Those are 3 guys (on the defensive line) that I think, they didn’t play a lot. But those three are as improved as anyone that we have on the team. They’ve done a really good job in there. Obviously we’re without Cam (Ball) and (David) Oke inside. Those guys, Sorey and Dix, but they’ve played, but you can feel them. I’ll tell you a guy: Selman Bridges is getting better. Jaden Allen. And then we’ve talked about (Keshawn) Davila. But I think those guys that we hadn’t seen play a lot of ball, those are the ones that I feel like, hey, they’re gonna be OK if they’ll continue to improve."
Davila was the No. 1 cornerback in junior college in 2024 and rated the No. 2-overall recruit regardless of position. He is competing for a starting job at cornerback.
"Yeah, I like him, and I think he’s done a good job," Pittman said. "Obviously, he’s battling with those other corners, but I think we hit on him. I like him. He’s really, really fast. As we continue to go, I look for him to get better and better, which we really have done that. Our defense has really improved I think over the last few days. I think the corners are part of the reason."
Arkansas will return to the practice fields on Tuesday, April 1.
