you want me to play where?

What do you do when you've always dreamed of being an Arkansas Razorback, but your not offered a scholarship?  What do you do as a walk-on, when you're last in line at wide receiver, the position you played in high school?  What do you do when the coaches ask you to move to the defensive line, and you weigh 210 pounds?

Most players might assume that the program was sending you a message, that you're not really in their plans.  What Jamaal Anderson did was go to work.  Anderson hit the weights with determination and transformed his body, gaining 40 pounds of muscle entering his sophomore year.  Still, at 6'6" and 250 lbs, he was undersized by SEC standards.  His 4.6 speed helped, but he found himself behind Anthony Brown, another wide receiver switched to defensive end.   When Brown was hurt in mid-season though, Anderson got his chance to step on the field.  And he stepped out in a big way.

His first start was against Georgia in Athens, and Anderson totaled 10 tackles.  He continued with strong games, earning SEC Lineman of the week against Mississippi State and finishing the year with 47 tackles.  More than coincidentally, the Razorback defense gelled in those final games.  After struggling early in the season against Vanderbilt, USC and Auburn, the defense closed strong.  In the five games Anderson started, the defense gave up an average of 16.2 ppg, 243 yards of total offense, and only 64 ypg rushing.  Those numbers are even more impressive when you realize three of their final five games were against bowl teams, (Georgia, South Carolina and LSU), and three of the games were on the road.

Anderson epitomizes the Hog defense, much improved but still not satisfied.  He has reported to fall camp at 283 lbs, and still runs a 4.6.  He is part of the best defensive line at Arkansas in years.  Along with returning tackles Keith Jackson Jr. and Marvin Harrison, Anderson forms part of a formidable front.  Brown has moved to the other end and is being pushed hard by true sophomore Antwain Robinson, another incredible athlete at the end position.  Five star recruit Fred Bledsoe finally looks like he is also going to contribute.  Look for big things from this group.

the other guys

The linebackers are anchored by All-SEC performer Sam Olajabutu, the leading tackler from a year ago.  Desmond Sims has moved from starting defensive end to the middle, and has all the tools to play at the next level.  Freddie Fairchild is another returning starter, coming off an outstanding freshman year which garnered him Freshman All-American recognition.  Depth is a concern, and true freshmen are being counted on for relief.

In the secondary, talented cornerbacks Chris Houston and Matterial Richardson return along with Darius Vinnett, a starter in 2004 who has been granted a hardship year for his senior campaign.  Randy Kelly and Michael Grant are the safeties.  Kelly has been inconsistent at times, and Grant moved over from corner in the spring.  They must give the defense sure tackling and eliminate the big plays that plagued the Hogs a year ago.

season outlook

With defensive coordinator Reggie Herring in his second year, the players should be much more comfortable in his schemes.  Herring is demanding and can be overbearing, but if this group responds, especially the safeties, look for a great season from Arkansas on the defensive side of the ball.