Arkansas entered the 2025 season ranked near the bottom of the SEC in defensive metrics, a fact that has set the stage for a focused overhaul of the linebacker unit heading into 2026.
A Revamped Linebacker Room
Coach Bradley Shaw and his staff have retained key pieces Bradley Shaw and Wyatt Simmons, both of whom started last year and are expected to anchor the new scheme.
The room welcomes several high‑profile additions, including Ja’Quavion Smith, a transfer from Howard who earned an 88.2 rating from Pro Football Focus and is the highest‑rated returning SEC linebacker, West Virginia’s Ben Bogle, who sits 10th among SEC linebackers at 73.4, and Baylor transfers Phoenix Jackson and Jeremy Evans, who bring proven on‑field chemistry.
Shaw has said the staff plans to employ both two‑man and three‑man linebacker packages, giving the group flexibility and the ability to disguise pressures. He praised the collective depth, noting that all nine scholarship linebackers can contribute on a weekly basis.
Veteran Braylen Russell highlighted the emerging rapport between Shaw and Smith, emphasizing that they must cover for each other and that the unit’s chemistry could be a decisive factor. Simmons, who has grown comfortable with the defensive playbook after a year of SEC exposure, is also expected to elevate his performance.
The new defensive philosophy emphasizes hybrid looks, mixing traditional two‑linebacker sets with occasional three‑man fronts that leverage Smith’s pass‑rush prowess and the versatility of Bogle and Evans. This approach aims to keep opposing offenses guessing and to maximize the talent on the roster.
Russell’s comments underscore a culture of accountability, where each player understands his role and the expectations placed upon him. The coaching staff’s confidence that every scholarship linebacker can contribute reflects a depth chart that is both experienced and hungry for impact.
With the season still months away, the Razorbacks are focused on building continuity and translating practice chemistry into game‑day results. If the unit can stay healthy and execute the new schemes, Arkansas hopes to see its defense rise from the bottom half of the SEC and contend more competitively in the league.