Hog Calls

What Smith didn't do has paid off the most

Arkansas defensive end Deatrich Wise sacks LSU quarterback Brandon Harris during a game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
Arkansas defensive end Deatrich Wise sacks LSU quarterback Brandon Harris during a game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

FAYETTEVILLE -- John L. Smith isn't credited for doing much during his rudderless-ship-like 4-8 as interim football coach of the 2012 Razorbacks.

However Smith not doing two things in 2012 assured Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema returning his two most heralded Razorbacks for 2016: Tight end Jeremy Sprinkle and defensive tackle Deatrich Wise.

Sprinkle was named last week to the Mackey Award preseason watch list. The Mackey is voted in December to the nation's outstanding tight end.

Wise was named to watch lists for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy, each selecting its most outstanding defensive player.

Sprinkle of White Hall and Wise of Carrolton, Texas were among the Arkansas freshman class signed by the Bobby Petrino regime in February, 2012.

Just two months later Petrino was fired, and former Arkansas assistant Smith hired, even though Smith was just hired by Weber State.

Smith didn't play Sprinkle. He redshirted him.

Wise, playing briefly in the season opener, was injured. He didn't play again in 2012 and was granted a hardship also making him a second-year freshman for Bielema in 2013 and a fifth-year senior now.

Not playing Sprinkle, then a spindly 6-6 barely 200 pounds project, and not reinserting Wise late in the season season doesn't comprise genius.

Yet far better Arkansas coaches than Smith heading far better staffs than what Smith inherited have wasted eligibility on some barely-used freshmen who ultimately became great upperclassmen. Some wasted as freshmen would have profited the Hogs and themselves as fifth-year seniors.

Sprinkle and Wise aren't alone from the 2012 roster remnants that Bielema counts upon this fall.

Running back Kody Walker actually played for Petrino scoring five short-yardage touchdowns in 2011.

Season-ending injuries before his fourth game in 2011 and after just two games in 2012 caused the NCAA to grant Walker a rare sixth-year senior season in 2016. Injury snakebitten yet again, Walker comes off a broken foot prematurely ending his excellent spring drills but aspires to be ready for the August preseason.

For their 2012 true freshmen year, Smith redshirted cornerback Jared Collins, poised to letter for his fourth year and his third as a regular starter, defensive tackle Taiwan Johnson, currently set to be a third-year starter, defensive end JaMichael Winston, a team captain as a junior in 2015, defensive end Brandon Lewis, appearing sufficiently last spring recovered from knee injuries to add D-line depth, and reserve receiver/kick returner and Razorbacks track sprinter Eric Hawkins

Also redshirted as 2012 freshman walk-ons now pivotal fifth-year seniors on special teams are incumbent punter Toby Baker and going on fourth-year holder Matt Emrich.

Ultimately, John L. Smith stands a better chance to be better Arkansas remembered for those he didn't play.

One freshman Smith played in 2012 could become a big bonus for 2016.

Though playing 10 games for Smith, Keon Hatcher, Bielema's leading receiver in 2014, returns hardshipped granted after sidelined for the season upon breaking his foot two games and 13 catches into 2015.

Sports on 07/11/2016

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