Freshman Linebacker Expected to Play Role for Hogs Defense

In search for help, Travis Williams expecting 4-star signee to receive playing time

Hoover's Bradley Shaw (7) against Auburn High School during their game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday evening last season. / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Razorbacks never stopped pursuing talent during the 2024 recruiting cycle which also helped the staff turn heads in December.

Four-star linebacker Bradley Shaw committed to Arkansas on Christmas morning over Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Washington and USC among 27 offers. At the time of his pledge, he was ranked No. 101 in the country and the No. 8 linebacker in his class.

Then, Shaw's recruiting stock unceremoniously dropped by nearly 100 spots before landing at No. 192 by the February signing period. So many notable out-of-state prospects the Razorbacks signed over the years saw their ranking fall once committing to Arkansas that it's started to not be a coincidence anymore. However, that's a topic for another story.

The fact is Arkansas co-defensive coordinator Travis Williams is high on his young pup at linebacker. He's so confident in Shaw, he expects him to play a role for the Razorbacks this season.

"He's a special talent. He can play," Williams said. "His football IQ is just out of this roof. You could tell that his high school, they've done a great job with him. Like I said, he doesn't say a word, but when he's on that football field, he's a different type of person. 

"He could play all different positions. For him to be a freshman and us move him to different positions so he could play both the Money and the Mack and different things like that, he has a bright future. He's gonna be a guy that will play."

After losing three of its top producing linebackers in Chris Paul (Ole Miss), Jordan Crook (Arizona State) and Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin), it forced Williams to search the transfer portal far and wide for potential starters.

Insert former Power Four starter Stephen Dix, one-time 5-star prospect Xavian Sorey and a versatile Larry Worth to complement sophomore Brad Spence to shore up some deficiencies created by portal season. Where Shaw fits into the group is sort of an unknown with Arkansas' opener against UAPB only six days out.

Williams said how impressed he is with Shaw's football IQ, quiet demeanor, maturity and work ethic going into his first season.

"You won't even know he's in the room," Williams said. "Doesn't say much, very mature, very smart.  His high school, he came from Hoover, Alabama. They've done a great job just coaching him up. He gets it. He has really good football IQ. It comes easy. So, we're dual training him as well. He's a kid that has a bright future and is doing some really good stuff."

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