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Arkansas' defensive staff was overhauled during the offseason and rightfully so.
The Razorbacks had one of the worst defenses in the SEC and even ranked last in the country in some statistical categories. They were gashed on the ground and picked apart through the air, so change was inevitable.
Former defensive coordinator Robb Smith was encouraged to find work elsewhere and Paul Rhoads filled his role after being promoted from defensive backs coach. Former defensive line coach Rory Segrest was let go and replaced by John Scott Jr. Instead of finding another secondary coach to take Rhoads' old post, Arkansas split up the inside and outside linebacker duties between Vernon Hargreaves and recent hire Chad Walker, respectively.
It's way too early to know if these moves will benefit the Razorbacks or not, but we do know that a switch to the 3-4 (three defensive linemen, four linebackers) is in the works.
One of the reasons head coach Bret Bielema hired Scott - opposed to someone like Charlie Partridge, his friend and former assistant - is because of his experience in a 3-4 scheme with the New York Jets.
Although the Razorbacks tinkered with the 3-4 during bowl practices in December, the media has yet to see how they'll align certain players in the system, so here's how Hawgs247 expects it to play out.
Assuming he is healthy, Dre Greenlaw will almost assuredly be one of the starting inside linebackers, flanked by either De'Jon Harris or Dwayne Eugene, who split reps when Greenlaw was out with an injury in 2016. Incoming freshman and early enrollee Kyrei Fisher could also compete for a spot in the rotation.
Outside linebacker is an interesting position in the 3-4. One of them is kind of like a stand-up rush defensive end, perfect for someone like Randy Ramsey, who was used as a third-down pass-rushing defensive end last season but was originally a linebacker. Michael Taylor II, a JUCO transfer who sat out last season, and Karl Roesler, a smaller defensive end, also fit that mold.
The other outside linebacker has to be more versatile. He must be able to rush the quarterback, stop the run and drop back in pass coverage, like a traditional linebacker. Dee Walker and Alexy Jean-Baptiste were praised by the coaches during their redshirt season and could compete for the starting spot here.
Defensive line will be even more interesting because of all the new pieces. Gone are players like Deatrich Wise Jr., Jeremiah Ledbetter, JaMichael Winston and Taiwan Johnson. Arkansas fans will finally get a better look at some of the highly touted defensive linemen the Razorbacks have signed in recent years.
Five-star recruit McTelvin Agim played defensive tackle in 2016, but he figures to move back out to defensive end in the 3-4, where he can make much more noise.
The middle will likely be manned by one of two former four-star recruits: Bijhon Jackson or Austin Capps. Both are large, strong humans and fit the stereotype of a nose tackle.
If Briston Guidry, who redshirted last year, finds his way into the starting lineup opposite Agim, the Razorbacks would have a defensive line comprised completely of four- or five-star recruits. However, he'll have to fend off the likes of Jonathan Marshall (who the coaches have been high on), T.J. Smith, Armon Watts, Daytrieon Dean and newcomer Melvin Johnson.
When it comes down to it, this is arguably the biggest storyline to watch during spring practice and one Hawgs247 will follow closely at the practices open to the media.
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