Does Arkansas have enough depth at defensive tackle?

The Razorbacks lost a pair of defensive tackles during the offseason including one that was a multi-season starter in Isaiah Nichols. With his departure it put Arkansas in a tough spot with so few SEC level defensive tackles available.

Luckily, Anthony “Tank” Booker fell right at the feet of Sam Pittman and his almost brand new defensive coaching staff. DL coach, Deke Adams, has to be licking in chops and zoning in on what could be his best line since arriving in Fayetteville.

Arkansas’ DL hasn’t been terrible since Pittman has taken over. However, he did rotate through the position coaches since he was hired in 2019. The Boss Hog is on his third coach there but has quietly turned the productivity around.

The Hogs sacked opposing quarterbacks 39 times last season. While a lot of those came in bunches it was more than any Razorback team since 2011. What they’ll be looking for this season is consistency to remain a potent attacking defense.

Key Transfer Additions

DE John Morgan
DE Trajan Jeffcoat
DT Keivie Rose
DT Anthony Booker

Arkansas is bringing in four linemen that have been all-conference at their recent stop. Jeffcoat comes in from Missouri but hasn’t been as effective since his breakout 2019 campaign.

Booker was a huge addition for the interior of the line back in April. At 6’4 325 pounds, the Maryland transfer will be a force in run defense which is something Arkansas struggled with in 2022.

Rose will be a great when it comes to depth. He could even be a key contributor to a defensive line that can cross-train and go 9-deep. For the longest time Arkansas had one, maybe two quality defensive linemen and then the group was patched together.

Let me tell you, Coach Adams has assembled a lethal group. One that could quietly be one of the best in the conference.

Key Returnees

DT Cam Ball
DE Jashaud Stewart
DT Taurean Carter
DT Marcus Miller
DT Eric Gregory
DE Landon Jackson
DE Zach Williams

Goodness, the talk is about the key additions from the transfer portal. What isn’t being talked about is the talent that is already on this roster. There’s going to be plenty of mouths to feed this season and luckily DC Travis Williams will be running a 4-2 front instead of the three man rush under Odom.

There’s certainly enough bodies and quality depth to  rotate a solid group throughout the game. Little Rock, (Ark.) native Zach Williams comes to mind as a guy ready to breakout as a senior. He had his best season as a Hog with 34 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. While he may not be the starter, the 6’4 255 pound edge rusher has proven to be a factor the past two seasons getting into the backfield.

Cam Ball (6’5 310 pounds) at defensive tackle had a quiet 31 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack last season. The Atlanta, (Ga.) native will cut it loose along the defensive line and isn’t scared of a challenge. There’s expectation there for him to crack the starting rotation in his third year with the Razorbacks.

Landon Jackson was an absolute terror for the offensive line during the spring. What does that say about the offensive line? Could it be that he’s just that good and developing nicely into a budding superstar. It’s been a few minutes since Arkansas has produced a star along the defensive line. The last player to really produce at a high level was Deatrich Wise in 2015. Is this the year that Jackson breaks through and becomes the disruptive edge rusher?

There’s a trio of defensive linemen from the highly ranked 2019 recruiting class that are still hanging around the program. Marcus Miller and Taurean Carter haven’t seen the field much over their respective careers. That could change since they’re older and more seasoned. Mired by injuries through their five seasons it is put up or shut up time. It’s more likely at least one of them has a coming out party and that very well may be Carter,

The Mansfield, Texas native was projected to be a starter last season before going down with a season ending leg injury during the spring. Fast forward a year and he’s stayed healthy and returns bringing quality depth to the line. Carter has shown flashes of SEC linemen ability throughout his career. As a redshirt sophomore in 2021, he recorded 24 tackles, 3 for loss and 1 sack.

Under the radar

DE Nico Davillier

DL JJ Hollingsworth

Projected Depth Chart