Razorbacks Losing Linebackers Raises Some Questions

When one position loses so many quality players, it will inevitably cause folks to wonder

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With the news Jaheim Thomas is hitting the portal, Arkansas has now lost both starting linebackers along with the leading tackler. He is the fourth player from that position bailing out of town along with the top two backups.

Don't ask me for answers. Around here you can listen to just about any kind of rumor you want to hear. Choose what you want to believe or not. The top four players at a position getting away as fast as they can. Maybe there's something to it, maybe there isn't. Unless it gets posted on social media, we have nothing except second and third-hand information, which often is exaggerated or outright wrong.

The Hogs added transfer linebacker Xavian Sorey from Georgia and they are adding three linebacker recruits. That list includes four-star Bradley Shaw, who announced his decision on Christmas Day. The problem is counting on that many new faces without experience usually doesn't work out well.

Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Jaheim Thomas during a practice in August on the outdoor practice field in Fayetteville, Ark :: Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

College rosters these days need at least four that can rotate in with little drop-off in quality between them. One can step up and be great, but you need at least three more unless you want offenses these days to just keep wearing you out with passing. You can see examples of that in bowl season with players leaving teams before those games.

Experience pays off big time at that position, especially with the entire group having time together. Only the offensive line being together with more experience is probably more important. The Razorbacks saw what happens with all of that at that position last year.

Exactly why players are leaving in droves there isn't clear. Either something is not quite right to them or it's all just a remarkable coincidence. I don't believe in coincidence and is just simply spin control.

HOGS FEED:

MENIFIELD’S CAREER HIGH POWERS BIG RAZORBACK OFFENSIVE SHOWING

EQUATING JEFFERSON TO FORMER SEC STAR QB LEADS TO LANDING SPOT PROJECTION, BUT COMPARISON ISN'T APPLES TO APPLES

WHAT'S THE COMMON THREAD WITH SAM PITTMAN'S SUCCESSFUL HIRES WITH RAZORBACKS?

• Return to allHogs home page
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook