JD PicKell: Linebackers, transfers key for Arkansas defense in 2022

On3’s JD PicKell recently took to the On3 YouTube Channel to explain why he believes Arkansas is set up for success on defense despite losing the majority of its starters from a year ago.

You can watch his breakdown of the Razorbacks defense right here or read his entire comments on the unit below.

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JD PicKell on Arkansas defense

He began by focusing on the pieces the Hogs do return, which mostly happen to be in the secondary.

“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.”

However, with their small group of returners primarily concentrated in a certain position group, the others had huge holes to fill this offseason.

“The frustration is you lost some pieces up front. The front seven is gonna need to have some rebuilding done to it,” according to PicKell.

Luckily, Arkansas’ other returner is reliable linebacker Bumper Pool. Plus, they also brought in a known commodity from a conference foe through the Transfer Portal.

“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 is a believer in the proven commodities in the back two-thirds of the defense. Then he also noted that Arkansas “went to the portal as well and tried to shore up that defensive line.”

Finally, he summed up the Razorback defense with some positivity.

“So all things considered, I think they’ll be fine defensively as well. A lot of it again relies on on what Pool and Sanders can bring from a linebacking perspective because that’s going to be the heart and soul of your defense.”