True Freshman Linebacker Getting 'Greedy' with Spotlight

Newcomer Brad Spence raising eyebrows with big hits, aggressive play for Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It's pretty easy to see why true freshman linebacker Brad Spence's nickname is Greedy. Through just a few weeks of practice, he's managed to steal a lot of the defensive spotlight for himself with big hits while flying around all over the place. He's stood out so much during fall practice that it’s turned the head of his position coach.

“He has a physical presence,” Travis Williams said last Friday “He comes in, and you can see him. He looks like he’s a sophomore or junior in college. He has heavy hands and does a really good job striking, has a really good change of direction, really good speed [and] he's running his system.

Striking is definitely the best way to describe it. As the old saying goes, if you want respect, pick the biggest bully in the yard and lay him out. Running back Raheim Sanders may not exactly be a bully, but he's one of the most respected backs in the SEC and on SEC Network host Takeo Spikes' list of five hardest players in the league to tackle. But, that didn't keep the freshman from letting everyone know he's arrived at Arkansas at his running back's expense.

22 is LB Brad Spence, a true freshman. Dude laid a hit on Rocket at 0:07.

Coaches have been high on Spence throughout camp. pic.twitter.com/LEQefYic4q

— Jacob Davis (@JacobScottDavis) August 21, 2023

It takes a lot to bring down Sanders who checks in at 6-foot-2, 242 pounds. Playing time is earned by getting noticed for moments like this. Whether he receives that or not, he has shown plenty of future promise. 

“You know, the sky is the limit for him," Williams said. "He has a bright future.” 

He's even caught the eye of head coach Sam Pittman.

“Spence makes plays every day,” Pittman said. “As a matter of fact — and I’m not great at singling out one guy — but I did single him out after practice today because it seemed like he was all over the field.”

Early indicators suggest that Spence was slightly undervalued by recruiting services' three-star rating. He chose the Hogs over Texas, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Utah, Wisconsin and 30 other programs. Arkansas has a history of developing 3-star linebackers. Spence just may be the next in what is becoming a long line.

HOG FEED:

KEY TO PITTMAN'S CONFIDENCE LIES IN ONE PLACE

PITTMAN'S PERFECT DAY CAPTURES WHY ARKANSAS MEN SEE HOGS' COACH AS ONE OF THEM

MORE THAN HALF THE STATE SET TO LOSE ACCESS TO HOGS

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