Tag: Drew Sanders

Hogs ‘D’ is starting to catch up to their offense and that’s dangerous for rest of SEC

Arkansas’ defense is good. Sam Pittman wants it to be great in 2022.

It wasn’t that Arkansas coach Sam Pittman thought the Hogs’ defense was terrible after the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp nine days ago. But he sought more from them.

They delivered.

The Razorbacks’ second scrimmage on Saturday was a showcase for the defense.

“I thought the defense played a lot better today than they did last week,” Pittman said. A lot of times you say that and you go ‘well, the offense didn’t play very (good).’ Well, that’s not the case. I thought the defense made the close plays more than they did last week.”

Arkansas’ defense could be a strength, especially in the secondary. Linebackers Bumper Pool and Drew Sanders are perhaps one of the 25 best duos at the spot in the country, too. But where the Razorbacks must improve is up front. Arkansas’ 25 sacks last year were 13th in the SEC and 80th in the country.

Against the Hogs’ first-team offense Saturday, they were in the backfield regularly.

“We don’t have a problem with unity or chasing the ball,” Pittman said.

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Average NIL $38k for Arkansas Football’s 2022 recruiting class

Three Hogs from the 2022 recruiting class with six-figure NIL Valuations.

College Football’s NIL landscape shares the qualities of the Wild West or even the SEC West; competitive and unpredictable.

The average NIL valuation of the Arkansas 2022 recruiting class is $38,000, the seventh highest amount in the SEC. Three players in the class have six-figure deals. South Carolina leads the conference with am of $94,000. Coming from Oklahoma as a transfer, Spencer Rattler brings his $2,000,000 NIL valuation.

The Hogs’ blue chip transfers, [autotag]Jaden Haselwood[/autotag], and [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] combine for $265,000 in NIL valuation. Haselwood spent his first three seasons at Oklahoma. Coming out of High School, he was considered an overall top-ten player in the country.

Sanders brings his SEC experience from Alabama, seeing the field as a freshman and sophomore. He was also an All-American prospect out of high school.

[autotag]Latavius Brini[/autotag] leads all transfers with a $141,000 NIL valuation. Brini played his college ball at Georgia, coming out of Miami as a top defensive back recruit.

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Bumper Pool listed on Butkus Award Watchlist

Pool is listed among the nation’s top linebackers heading into the 2022 season.

One of Arkansas’ most impactful returning starters on defense is listed as one of the top linebackers in the country.

Monday, it was announced that senior linebacker [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag], along with 49 other linebackers across the country, had been named to the Butkus Award preseason watchlist, an award given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

Pool led the team in tackles last season with 125, with 7.5 of those being for loss. In four seasons at Arkansas, Pool has made 349 stops with 23 tackles for loss in 44 total games. He is set to play his fifth season of college football in 2022, using his extra season of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Pool will also be the only returning starting linebacker from last season following the departure of [autotag]Grant Morgan[/autotag] and [autotag]Hayden Henry[/autotag]. Arkansas added help from the transfer portal in [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag], who should compliment Pool on Arkansas’ defense.

Pool and the Arkansas Razorbacks are set to open the season on Sept. 3 against Cincinnati at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

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Expect Drew Sanders’ versatility to be impactful

Alabama transfer Drew Sanders will fit perfectly with Bumper Pool at linebacker.

After two members of Arkansas’ linebacker room exited due to graduation in 2021, it was became urgent that head coach Sam Pittman needed an immediate impact player to compliment [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag].

Pittman got that in Alabama transfer, [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag].

Sanders and Pool are set to become one of the toughest defensive duos in the SEC and will mesh well with a secondary unit that returns all of its’ parts.

When breaking down the offseason transfer portal moves from around the country, On3 recently listed their top 10 EDGE transfers and has ranked Sanders No. 3.

While Sanders is listed as an outside linebacker, he could float around the defense says On3:

Drew Sanders was an outside linebacker at Alabama, but expect him to line up at different spots for the Hogs. He had a good spring in coordinator Barry Odom’s defense, and has the ability to play both inside linebacker and edge rusher. Arkansas had 25 sacks last season, but only 13 in its eight SEC games. Revving up that aspect of the defense is a must, and that’s why Sanders’ arrival from the transfer portal is so important. Sanders (6-5, 232) has good size, is a solid athlete and holds up nicely against the run.

Sanders transfers to Arkansas after recording 33 total tackles in two seasons at Alabama. The Denton, Texas native was rated as a five-star prospect in high school, and was ranked as the No. 3 recruit in the state of Texas for the 2019 cycle.

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The defensive backfield will hold the key to Arkansas’ success in 2022

An experienced secondary, as well as a loaded LB room, are the perfect ingredients for a triumphant season.

Arkansas Football is receiving tons of positive buzz ahead of the 2022 season, mostly due to the weapons that the offense brings to the table.

But, if your opponent scores more points than you, it does not matter how many points you score.

So, how impactful will the defense be in Arkansas’ success? There were a handful of departures from last season’s squad, but there is one unit, in particular, that could limit the opposition’s production says On3’s JD PicKell.

In his series titled “The Hard Count” that is featured on On3’s YouTube channel, PicKell says that the defensive backs will step up for Arkansas’ defense this season.

They lost a fair amount on defense. They bring back four starters from a season ago. The good news for Arkansas — a lot of those guys are on the back end, So you return essentially a position unit in the defensive backs from a year ago. So they’re more experienced. They’re going to be able to play more cohesively.

The defensive backs, led by safety [autotag]Jalen Catalon[/autotag] who is returning from a season-ending injury, should be complimented by the linebackers as well. [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag] is the only returning linebacker from last season’s team, but the addition of former Alabama linebacker [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] should provide an extra push for the Razorbacks.

Bumper Pool is gonna be someone that I think they look to a lot in the linebacking corps. Drew Sanders was a huge get for them in the transfer portal. A guy who, by most accounts, is an elite player and would start just about anywhere in then country. The tough part is at Alabama, if you get hurt, it’s not a guarantee you get your spot back. So Drew Sanders was playing at Alabama. He was a guy contributing and playing. I believe he was starting at one point in time for Alabama. All that to say Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool are gonna spearhead what this defense brings. I think they’re going to add a lot of security in the second level of this defense.

PicKell went on to say that as long as Pool and Sanders have big seasons, that Arkansas will reap the rewards of another successful season.

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Drew Sanders is not “a typical transfer”

On a recent episode of “The Late Kick”, host Josh Pate of 247sports called linebacker Drew Sanders an under-the-radar transfer.

The Arkansas defense is expected to be an asset to a projected great season in 2022, led by the return of safety [autotag]Jalen Catalon[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag].

Lost in the hype surrounding Catalon and Pool, is a key addition from the transfer portal that could easily turn into one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference.

[autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] transferred to Arkansas from Alabama in hopes to prove just how great of an athlete he is without being shadowed by fellow linebackers Dallas Turner and Will Anderson. He was severely limited at linebacker during his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, only recording 33 tackles in 23 total games.

Sanders has the talent, he just needs the opportunity. That is why Josh Pate of 247sports calls Sanders an under-the-radar linebacker.

In a recent episode of his show “The Late Kick”, Pate digs into why Sanders is so special, and why more people should be talking about him.

This is not a typical transfer. Arkansas knew that. I want everyone else to know that. Dallas Turner and Will Anderson are the reasons Drew Sanders transferred. Bama’s got two best linebackers in the country this year. It just so happens Drew Sanders plays that position. So Drew Sanders transferred out. This is a future first-round, quality linebacker that has no character concerns. Quite the opposite. He’s a high level character guy. And imagine being Sam Pittman. Imagine being Barry Odom, and you’re just sitting around one day, and Drew Sanders is in the transfer portal. What happened? Did he lose a bet? No. They’re just that loaded in Alabama at his position.

Pate compared Sanders situation to former Alabama teammate Jameson Williams, who left Ohio State following the 2020 season after his playing time at wide receiver was limited with the Buckeyes. Williams would go on to reel in 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide in 2021, and would be selected 12th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pate says that Sanders could have that type of season for Arkansas.

Moving him to inside linebacker, Drew Sanders is going to be one of the best players in that division this year. And you’ll quickly watch him and realize it’ll kind of be like Jameson Williams was at Bama ironically. You’ll watch Jameson Williams last year and you say, ‘Wow, that kid transferred because he couldn’t get playing time at Ohio State. How loaded must that receiver room be?’ You’ll say the same thing about Bama’s linebackers this year. You’ll watch Drew Sanders and he’ll play at like an all SEC caliber level and you’ll say, ‘How loaded must that linebacker room have been in Alabama?’ Drew Sanders, very good one. A game-changing talent, Drew Sanders, at Arkansas.”

Prior to signing with Alabama as a member of the 2020 class, Sanders was rated as a five-star athlete from Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. He was the No. 1 recruit from the state of Texas, and 13th best prospect in the nation.

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Complete list of Arkansas football’s preseason All-SEC players across publications

Ten different Arkansas players have been honored with preseason All-SEC selections. Can you name them all without looking?

Summertime in the South, the silly season.

It’s the time of the year, just before SEC Media Days in July, when predictors and prognosticators across the college football landscape are dropping predicted orders of finish and preseason all-conference players.

Three of the most significant of those all-SEC selections are with Athlon Sports and Phil Steele, the two most respected college-football-preview magazine publishers in the game. The other comes from AL.com, where the league’s 14 sports information directors make their selections.

Here, we’ve gathered all three that include Arkansas players in one list. It should help in the coming two months when we all get excited for the season to kickoff in September.

College Football News suggests this non-conference team could upset Arkansas in 2022

Is there a “sure win” on the 2022 schedule that could end up being an upset?

After completing their most successful season in a decade in 2021, the Arkansas Razorbacks have higher-than-usual expectations heading into 2022.

With the likes of [autotag]KJ Jefferson[/autotag], [autotag]Raheim Sanders[/autotag], and [autotag]Jadon Haselwood[/autotag] leading the offense, as well as [autotag]Jalen Catalon[/autotag] and [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] being impact players on defense, it is easy to see why Arkansas could win 9-10 games this season. But, is there a “sure win” on the schedule that Razorback fans should be worried about? College Football News says yes.

In a list titled, “SEC Top Letdown Games for Every Team”, Ben Niewoehner of College Football News says that Arkansas’ potential “letdown” game is not against a conference opponent, but on the road at BYU. The Cougars themselves aren’t a threat to Arkansas, says Niewoehner, but where they are in the schedule could draw some concern.

How will Arkansas rebound from a three-week onslaught before making the tough trip to Provo? It will get on the plane after taking on Texas A&M in Arlington, Alabama, and at Mississippi State. The team will need a week off – that comes after the Cougars.

The Razorbacks and Cougars are set to meet for the first time on the gridiron on October 15 at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. The game at BYU will be the middle game of a three-game road trip beginning October 8 at Mississippi State, and concluding October 29 at Auburn.

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Drew Sanders named Arkansas’ “key newcomer” from the Transfer Portal

Sanders will be a key addition to the Razorback defense with his incredible pass rush ability, says On3.

Arkansas Football received nine players from the Transfer Portal for the 2022 recruiting cycle, with each athlete adding an individual element that will make the Razorbacks better.

For linebacker [autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag], his ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks’ provides a much-needed boost to the Razorbacks’ defense.

Out of all nine transfers, expect Sanders to be the “key newcomer” says Mike Huguenin of On3.

Huguenin named his picks for the key newcomer from the transfer portal for each program of the SEC West and says that the Alabama transfer barely beat out wide receiver [autotag]Jadon Haselwood[/autotag], a transfer from Oklahoma, for the top spot for the Razorbacks.

WR Jadon Haselwood, a transfer from Oklahoma, is getting a lot of attention, but Sanders’ pass-rush ability could be vital for the Hogs. Both Haselwood and Sanders are former five-star recruits; Haselwood was so-so at OU, while Sanders got squeezed out for playing time with the Tide. Arkansas had 25 sacks last season, but only 13 in the eight SEC games. Revving up that aspect of the defense is a must, and that’s why Sanders’ arrival is so important. Sanders (6-5, 232) has good size, is a solid athlete and holds up nicely against the run.

Sanders played in 12 games for Alabama, starting in three games at the beginning of the 2021 season. In his limited playing time with Alabama, Sanders recorded 24 tackles, with 2.5 for loss. The Denton, Texas native saw action in 11 games during the 2020 season, where he made nine tackles.

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Drew Sanders immediately fitting into Arkansas defense

Alabama transfer Drew Sanders is picking up where Hayden Henry and Grant Morgan left off for Arkansas.

[autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] is a Razorback. Even before he was actually on the roster, the Alabama transfer had everything coach [autotag]Sam Pittman[/autotag] and Co. wanted.

Now he’s showing it.

Sanders is in his first spring camp with Arkansas after transferring from the Crimson Tide over the winter. Nearly every time Arkansas has press availability after a practice, someone is praising the junior. Hogs quarterback [autotag]KJ Jefferson[/autotag] was glowing about Sanders after Saturday’s scrimmage.

“What he brings on the defensive side of the ball is just great,” Jefferson said. “He’s always around the ball, fast in space, makes plays, a guy that will come down in the box and hit you — thump you. Just him coming to Arkansas and just what he brings is awesome.”

Sanders had 24 tackles at Alabama last year as a reserve. It might not sound impressive on the surface, but consider he was a second-teamer there and he still managed 2 1/2 tackles for-loss, a sack, four hurries and two pass break-ups.

Arkansas’ defense calls for two linebackers for most snaps. [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag], an All-SEC selection returns at one, but the Hogs have to replace Grant Morgan and Hayden Henry who both have exhausted their eligibility. Sanders will slot into onto the missing spot.

All-American safety [autotag]Jalen Catalon[/autotag] has seen it play out in front him.

“You can just tell that he’s been coached and he’s very fundamental,” Catalon. “Every single rep that he takes, it’s detailed. And he knows how to hit the hole too, when that hole opens he’s gonna hit it.”