Hog Calls

Richardson should shine for Hogs' defense this season

Arkansas defensive lineman Gabe Richardson participates in a drill Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, during practice at the university practice fields in Fayetteville.
Arkansas defensive lineman Gabe Richardson participates in a drill Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, during practice at the university practice fields in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Given how well Gabe Richardson performed last spring it mystifies how little he was used last fall.

On a subpar Arkansas defense closing the Bret Bielema Razorbacks regime at 4-8, Richardson played just four games in 2017. He logged but six snaps at his defensive end position even with a fumble causing hit that teammate Henre' Toliver recovered and returned for an 18-yard touchdown during the 49-7 season-opening romp at Little Rock over Florida A&M.

Admittedly, Florida A&M was badly mismatched. And Richardson of Decatur, Ga., via Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College last fall broke in as a sophomore JUCO transfer. In last year's 3-4 defensive scheme, Richardson was undersized at 6-3, 240 for just three on the line.

Still, given Richardson's spring progress that continues this August it seems his opportunity should have knocked last fall.

"It's in the past," Richardson said. "It's in the past. I do have a chip on my shoulder about it. But I just want to continue to move forward and play. Play fast and to potential."

Under new head coach Chad Morris, new defensive coordinator John Chavis and new defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell and as one of four linemen while flanking big tackles in Chavis' 4-3 defense, Richardson experiences a new beginning.

Members of the media firsthand saw him excel last spring.

While members of the media have witnessed less Razorbacks scrimmaging this August than any preseason since before Frank Broyles first head coached Arkansas in 1958, we have Morris' word that Richardson continues excelling.

"I think Gabe's had a solid camp," Morris said after last Saturday's closed scrimmage. "I'm very pleased with him."

If Morris is pleased, then presumably Caldwell is, too.

Caldwell's conclusions carry historic Arkansas impact. Hired by Bobby Petrino, during Caldwell's 2010-2012 previous Arkansas tenure coaching defensive ends, he coached current NFL defensive ends Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise and Chris Smith and former NFL defensive ends Jake Bequette and Tenarius Wright.

Richardson believes Arkansas' D-line has at least one player eventually NFL bound.

Whether at defensive end, the position he played last fall and last spring, or defensive tackle where team needs dictate he most plays now, junior McTelvin "Sosa" Agim will excel, Richardson asserts.

"Sosa can line up wherever they ask him to," Richardson said. "Wherever he really wants, he'll shine. He knows the defense like the back of his hand, and he's big enough, strong enough, fast enough."

For defensive end depth freeing Agim to play inside do the Razorbacks have enough?

"We do," Richardson said.

Richardson cites senior Randy Ramsey, himself, junior Jamario Bell, senior Michael Taylor, junior college transfer Dorian Gerald and oncoming freshman Nick Fulwider ("Coach (Caldwell) calls him Deatrich Wise all the time," Richardson said) as ready to apply what's required on the edge so Agim can provide an edge inside.

Richardson asserts all will answer Chavis' call to converge on the ball.

"Getting more bodies to the ball," Richardson said. "That's the No. 1 thing. After that, everything else will come."

Sports on 08/22/2018

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