The “Three 2 Watch” are the most intriguing players and situations on offense and defense as the Razorbacks enter a pivotal spring. We move to defense today after revealing our three-most intriguing storylines on offense.
The third-most intriguing story on defense this spring is new defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell, a former coach at Tennessee widely known for his successful run defenses and eye for talent.
THREE 2 WATCH: DEFENSE
No. 3 — DE coach STEVE CALDWELL
The skinny
Steve Caldwell
Steve Caldwell‘s hiring in January was a longtime pursuit for Coach Bobby Petrino. Petrino reportedly wanted Caldwell on his staff ever since he took the job as Arkansas’ head coach late in 2007. Caldwell declined, opting to stay at Tennessee, but two years later finds himself alongside his pursuer, Petrino, at Arkansas.
Caldwell spent 14 seasons at Tennessee, where his defensive ends were always one of the top units in the Southeastern Conference. The Volunteeers’ defense ranked among the top four in the SEC in total defense 10 times and the defense led the SEC in fewest rushing yards allowed three times as well. The Vols even ranked second nationally in rushing yards allowed (82.5) in 2005.
Caldwell adds plenty of coaching experience and hope along the defense line, which has struggled to get pressure on the quarterback at times in the last two seasons.
What 2 Watch
The development of junior end Jake Bequette will be one to watch. Bequette came into his own last season, and dominated in the Razorbacks’ 47-19 victory against Texas A&M. Bequette, and the entire defensive line for that matter, dominated the Aggies and it proved to be a turning point for the Razorbacks, who went on to win seven of their last 10 games.
Bequette was credited for two quarterback hurries against the Aggies, but struggled to get free against many of the teams in the SEC. Against Florida’s elusive Tim Tebow, the defensive end piled up two sacks and forced a fumble out of the Heisman winner’s throwing hand.
Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson even tabbed Bequette “as close to a professional football player as we have,” last August.
Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette, right, knocks the football from Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's grasp during Arkansas' 23-20 loss to then-No. 1 Florida in 2009. Arkansas forced three fumbles in the first half. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/BENJAMIN KRAIN)
Tenarius Wright figures to be a stalwart on the end, but is in a walking boot and will not participate in spring drills. Wright forced a fumble against the Aggies, which resulted in an 85-yard touchdown return by linebacker Jerry Franklin.
The question of depth remains, though. And without defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard on the line taking double teams, the defensive ends may just find it tougher to get free. Gone also is Adrian Davis, who led the team alongside Bequette in sacks (5.5).
The positive for the Razorbacks is that Caldwell is their coach and he should improve this group.
This spring will be all about adjustments and technique. Bequette will be the star, but can Damario Ambrose, Caleb Evans and Colton Nash make some moves? Nash will certainly be interesting to watch after a season at tight end. Coaches moved the sophomore back to his natural playing position this spring.
Simply put, the Razorbacks finished sixth in the SEC in sacks, but still struggled in crucial situations last season.
What 2 Expect
We haven’t seen Caldwell in action yet on the field, but he’s regarded as one of the best defensive coaches in the nation. We’ll finally get to see that first-hand when the Razorbacks take the practice field Tuesday. The players certainly seem excited about Caldwell, who will look to improve the pivotal gear in a unit which looked great in the red zone on run defense but dicey at times in the middle of the field last season.
Caldwell will further be graded next season, when he gets a chance to hit the road recruiting. The coach walked quietly into Arkansas as a coach at Tennessee on a couple of occasions to nab some great talent.
What 2 Say
It’s very apparent from being around him in the film room and from our off-season stuff that he’s really an expert on the defensive line. He’s coached some great players, he’s coached some first-round draft picks. I know that he’s going to make me better as a player, and he’s going to make our whole defensive line better.
He really stresses technique over everything. He knows if we can be the best technique team out there, that we’ll have a great chance to be a pretty solid defensive line.
— Defensive end Jake Bequette on DE coach Steve Caldwell
THREE 2 WATCH — OFFENSE
No. 1 — RB Ronnie Wingo
No. 2 — Wide receivers
No. 3 — TE Chris Gragg
THREE 2 WATCH — DEFENSE
No. 1 — Monday
No. 2 — Friday
No. 3 — Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell
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Coming up Friday, the second in a three-part series on Arkansas’ defense on my Three 2 Watch list.
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.
Is it normal to have to different coaches for the Defensive line? While at Tenn didn’t Caldwell coach the entire D-line?
Next hire needs to be a LB expert b/c that is where we are lacking.