FAYETTEVILLE - The first time junior-college transfer Alonzo Highsmith stepped on the Razorbacks’ practice field in August, 2011, he was already working with the first team.

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Chris Ash haven’t officially projected instant first-team status for 2013 newcomers Martrell Spaight and Brooks Ellis the way former Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino and former defensive coordinator Willy Robinson did for just-enrolled Highsmith in 2011.

But based on comments Bielema made to media before teeing off at a Razorbacks golf outing Friday in Bella Vista. don’t be surprised if North Little Rock’s Spaight, a transfer from Coffeyville, Kan. Community College,and Ellis, from Fayetteville High School, get some first-unit look early in the preseason drills that begin Aug. 4.

Arkansas plays its season-opener Aug. 31 against Louisiana-Lafayette at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

The Mike (middle) and Will (strongside) linebackers spots appeared far from claimed at the close of spring practice in April.

2012 true freshmen Otha Peters and A.J. Turner finished last season as the first-team linebackers for interim Coach John L.Smith’s Razorbacks. They came on after 2012 seniors Highsmith and Tenarius Wright suffered season-ending injuries. But Bielema did not get to see either Peters or Turner at full speed in the spring because they were recovering from injuries.

Peters, of Covington, La., and Turner, of Lepanto, likely will get their chances, too, after showing flashes of promise on the 2012 film that this new staff has evaluated.

“Both guys, I think they’re both good players,” Bielema said in his spring drills summation last April. “They could make a big jump if that light bulb comes on.”

It was Daunte Carr, a converted safety, and Braylon Mitchell of Heber Springs, both fourth-year juniors lettering mainly on special teams, who passed Peters and Turner to close the spring depth chart first team.

Bielema said Carr and Mitchell made the first team on merit. But it’s also obvious that Bielema wants Peters, Turner, Spaight and Ellis to either pass the spring incumbents or push them to new heights.

Certainly opportunity knocks for the newcomers, Ellis and Spaight.

“Like I said all the way through,” Bielema said Friday when asked about linebackers, “I have been very impressed with Martrell and Brooks Ellis. Both of those guys, I think, will have an opportunity to come and and help us.”

Bielema stressed that by NCAA rules he can’t witness the Razorbacks going through summer off season workouts that can be supervised only by trainers and the strength and conditioning staff.

“I can’t get the reports,” Bielema said. “But everything I’ve seen, bumping into them in the facilities and stuff, they’re very excited. Both of them look extremely in shape and in a good position. We’ll judge them and see how much they can help us initially.”

Sports, Pages 16 on 06/24/2013