For many of Arkansas seniors, it’s a tale of two careers.

Many of them were around for the 11-win season in 2011 under Bobby Petrino, highlighted by a Cotton Bowl win. They experienced Arkansas football pre-motorcycle accident and they experienced in post-motorcycle accident.

There are 18 seniors on the Razorbacks’ roster. Each of them has tasted glory and agonized over humiliation. Their Arkansas careers have included season marks of 11-2, 4-8, 3-9 and 6-6.

There’s a stability now, though. Second-year head coach Bret Bielema and his staff have brought continuity, but also a determination to rebuild the program the right way. The former Wisconsin coach has stressed the importance of the role each senior plays, and in return, this class has bought in — a large factor the Razorbacks made a bowl in just Bielema’s second year.

Consider Trey Flowers. The Huntsville, Ala., native played for four defensive coordinators and three head coaches in four seasons in Fayetteville. Despite the turnover, he exceeded what minimal expectations there were for him. The unquestioned leader of the defense, Flowers earned All-Freshmen and All-SEC honors in each of his four seasons as a Razorback.

Then there’s A.J. Derby. The junior college transfer didn’t experience the 2011 and 2012 seasons, but the Arkansas he thought he committed to isn’t the Arkansas to which he arrived. After one season at Iowa then at Coffeyville Community College, Derby was thrust into a leadership role on a young team embarking on a rebuilding phase.

How about Martrell Spaight? Another JUCO transfer, Spaight returned home after junior college to star for his home-state Razorbacks, quarterbacking an incredible defensive turnaround this season under first-year coordinator Robb Smith.

And offensive lineman Brey Cook. The Springdale, Ark., native served as the cornerstone for an offensive line that played under three different offensive coordinators. Cook blocked for a prolific passing attack led by Tyler Wilson in 2011, and a power run game under Bret Bielema in 2014. The senior has been durable on the offensive front, appearing in 35 games and making 17 starts.

There are numerous examples to be credited for sticking it out in Fayetteville. After the media frenzy and fiasco that left Petrino fired, it would’ve been easy for most of this class to transfer. Few, if any, did and now they’ve laid the foundation for a bright future under Bielema.

There’s Tevin Michel, Braylon Michell, Sam Irwin-Hill, Demetrius Wilson, Patrick Arinze, Daunte Carr, Luke Charpentier, Tiquention Coleman, Alan D’Appollonio, John Henson, Cameron Jefferson, Jonathan McClure, Chris Stringer and Alan Turner.

All have had an impact on the trajectory of Arkansas football.

And for that they deserved to be praised.