The 2011 Arkansas Defense

While the offense gets all the accolades for Arkansas teams, this defense should be very stout this year. Lots of veterans with lots of playing experience. This defense finished 5th in the SEC a year ago in overall defense, 5th in pass eff. defense, 2nd in sacks, 1st in 3rd down defense.

Here is a look at what Arkansas returns this year on the defensive side of the ball.

Secondary
(Jr)CB Darius Winston- 6 starts in 2010
(Sr)CB Isaac Madison- 10 starts in 2010
(Sr)CB Greg Gatson- 1 start in 2010
(So)CB Jerry Mitchell- no starts, 7 games in 2010
(So)CB/S Eric Bennett- 3 starts, 12 games in 2010
(Sr)S Elton Ford- 17 career starts
(Sr)S Tramain Thomas- 18 career starts
(Sr)S/LB Jerico Nelson- 26 career starts

Key Newcomers: Kelvin Fisher, Tevin Mitchell, Rohan Gaines

Linebackers
(Sr)S/LB Jerico Nelson- 13 starts in 2010
(Sr)LB Jerry Franklin- 281 career tackles
(Jr)LB Terrell Williams- 42 tkls, 4.5 tfl in 2010
(Jr)LB Ross Rasner- 24 career games played
(So)LB Jarrett Lake- 7 games in 2010
(Sr)LB Bret Harris- 30 career games
(RFR)LB Braylon Mitchell- redshirt in 2010

Key Newcomers: Robert Atiga(So), Alonzo Highsmith(Jr), Tyler Gilbert, Brock Haman

Defensive Tackles
(Jr)DD Jones- 24 games, 11 career starts
(So)Byran Jones- 5 starts in 2010
(Sr)Lavunce Askew- 31 games, 7 starts in career
(Sr)Zach Stadther- 33 games, 17 starts in career
(Jr)Alfred Davis- 24 games, 8 career starts
(RFR)Jeremiah Jackson- redshirt in 2010
(Sr-Tr)Jared Green- sat out 2010-transfer rule

Key Newcomers: Robert Thomas(So), Demarcus Hodge

Defensive Ends
(Sr)Jake Bequette- 8.5 tfl, 7 sacks in 2010
(Jr)Tenarius Wright- 8 tfl, 6 sacks in 2010
(So)Chris Smith- 6 games played in 2010
(So)Will Coleman- 7 games in 2010

Key Newcomers: Lonnie Gosha, Horace Arkadie