Drew Sanders Answering Big Question at Linebacker

Before season replacing a couple of experienced guys was question mark, but not now

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas' linebackers are going to be just fine, thank you.

Finding a couple of guys to go with Bumper Pool was a big question mark before the season. The potential was clearly there in the spring and summer, but now we have an answer from SEC play.

Junior linebacker Drew Sanders was named the Walter Camp National FBS Defensive Player of the Week after the Razorbacks' 44-30 win over South Carolina on Saturday.

Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Drew Sanders reacts after a defensive stop in a win over South Carolina on Sept. 10, 2022, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. (Gunnar Rathbun / Arkansas Communications)

In his second game with the Hogs, Sanders recorded career highs in total tackles (11), including eight solo stops, and tackles for loss (three) against the Gamecocks.

Sanders tied a school single-game record (based on available stats) in forced fumbles with two while tallying one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry.

Anchoring the Razorback defense, Sanders became one of two SEC defenders since 2000 to have totaled 10+ tackles with two or more sacks, two or more forced fumbles and a pass breakup in a single game.

His three tackles for loss were the most in a game by a Hog defender since Bumper Pool totaled three against Texas A&M in 2020.

Sanders is the fifth Arkansas player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004 and the first since Hunter Henry did in 2021.

Sanders and No. 10 Arkansas (2-0) will play Missouri State and former Hogs coach Bobby Petrino (2-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Razorback Stadium on ESPN+.

HOGS FEED:

HOW HIRING SAM PITTMAN MADE BIG IMPACT WITH TWO TEAMS

RAZORBACKS MAKE HUGE JUMP IN AP POLL, BUT HOW FAR? WHO ELSE MOVED UP OR DOWN?

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW HEADING INTO SOUTH CAROLINA; TIME TO GET PAST PETRINO'S AWKWARD EXIT

PITTMAN TOLD JEFFERSON IT WAS HIS LAST SHOT, HOW JEFFERSON RESPONDED

CAN HOGS RUN THROUGH AND AROUND REST OF THE SEC?

WE FINALLY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT JALEN CATALON, MYLES SLUSHER INJURIES

BAMA'S WEAKNESSES OPEN DOOR IN SEC WEST THIS YEAR

HOGS' BODY BLOWS TOO MUCH FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

EXPECTATIONS FOR HOGS' BASKETBALL THROUGH THE ROOF

WHAT RAZORBACK FANS CAN LEARN THIS WEEKEND ABOUT NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS

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