Arkansas is on its way back toward the top of the SEC. After cratering following the 2011 season, the Razorbacks have slowly been building back to respectability. A dominating bowl win to end the 2014 season at 7-6 put the SEC on notice that the Razorbacks will be a tough date in 2015.

Where does the program stand heading into 2015?

On-field performance

SEC standing: Bottom third

Grade: B-

Not long ago, Arkansas was a fearsome opponent. In 2010 and 2011, the Razorbacks posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons and were lighting up SEC scoreboards along the way. Then Bobby Petrino crashed his motorcycle and John L. Smith happened. When Bret Bielema came aboard, he was starting from scratch.

It took almost all of two years to get a win in the SEC, but Bielema’s team was competitive long before that. The Razorbacks suffered several close losses early in the year, nearly upsetting Alabama and hanging tough with a Texas A&M team that was lighting the world on fire at the time. When Arkansas finally broke through with back-to-back shutouts against LSU and Ole Miss, both ranked at the time, it didn’t come as a huge surprise.

The Razorbacks have a clear on-field identity: punishing running backs, massive and powerful offensive linemen and a hard-nosed defense. If they can find more balance in 2015, something Bielema has been adamant about trying to do, there is plenty of room for improvement.

Recruiting

SEC standing: Bottom third

Grade: B-

Even when Arkansas was one of the most frightening dates on the SEC slate, the Razorbacks were still scuffling along toward the bottom of the SEC. From 2011-15, they’ve averaged a recruiting rank of 10th in the SEC, per the 247sports’ industry composite.

The Razorbacks generally do well at home, bringing in the majority of the top-10 players in state on an annual basis. However, they have let the state’s top-rated player get away in four of the last five years.

For their standing in the SEC, a notch or two below the elite-level program, the Razorbacks are doing well in recruiting. Despite their lower-tier standing in the SEC, the Hogs have still signed a top-30 class nationally in all three of Bielema’s recruiting cycles.

Player development

SEC standing: Middle tier

Grade: B+

Working with a slightly lower caliber of player than some of the behemoths at the top of the SEC, Arkansas has made the best out of its recent top-rated signees. Alex Collins, Hunter Henry, Jonathan Williams, Keon Hatcher, Darius Philon and others have all worked out and lived up to their four-star ratings.

Several lower-ranked players have developed very nicely under Arkansas’ watch. Taiwan Johnson, JaMichael Winston and Brandon Allen were all three-star prospects, while Trey Flowers blossomed into a devastating defensive force despite coming in as a two-star recruit.

Over the last five years, Arkansas has had an average of a little more than three players drafted. That number should climb a bit this year, with four players invited to the NFL scouting combine.

Facilities

SEC standing: Top half

Grade: A

In 2013, Arkansas unveiled a $50 million facility that put it right in the thick of the SEC’s arms race. The upgrades were reportedly one of the big factors that drew Bielema to Arkansas, so they’ve already paid off by landing a coach to build around.

The Fred W. Smith football center is state of the art in just about every capacity, from a gorgeous locker room to meeting rooms, as well as a lounge for players and training rooms. The university is also in the midst of contructing a student-athlete “success center” that will be equipped with tutor rooms, a dining hall and a wellness center with a nutritionist and psychologist.

Coaching

SEC standing: Middle tier

Grade: B+

Bielema took his share of knocks early on in his tenure, as folks wondered if a Big Ten coach could hack it in the SEC. Considering where he started from, it’s fair to say those concerns were misplaced. While it’s far different than what it was four years ago, Bielema has constructed a clear identity for his team, one that seems to apply both on and off the field. It earned him a two-year extension and a raise two weeks ago.

Despite a few departures this offseason, Bielema has built a very strong staff. He’s empowered defensive coordinator Robb Smith, one of the very best in the business, and the result is a punishing defense that bruises and batters opposing offenses. Smith also received a nice raise for his efforts after Arkansas finished second in the SEC in total defense.

Bielema will have a new offensive coordinator in 2015, and the hiring was a bit of a surprise. The Razorbacks were able to lure Dan Enos away from a head coaching position at Central Michigan to run the offense. While the Chippewas struggled the last two years, Enos is expected to help improve the Razorbacks passing offense.