There are a pair of linebackers in this week’s Arkansas-Missouri game who are easy to root for in Nick Bolton and Grant Morgan.

Bolton has been a tackling machine for Missouri, but coach Eli Drinkwitz said there’s more to that.

“I’m so impressed with his life off the field as on the field,” Drinkwitz said on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “He shows up on time, 3.4 GPA, great manners, parents raised him the right way.”

Morgan has developed into a key player on the Razorbacks defense, and Drinkwitz is not surprised.

“I knew Grant recruiting his brother… the most impressive thing is when he makes a tackle, he gets up and go runs to get lined up,” Drinkwitz said.

The Tigers will face Arkansas without Rakeem Boyd, and Drinkwitz was asked how that changes things for the Razorbacks.

“They’ve done a nice job running the ball, (Kendal) Briles mixes it up well,” Drinkwitz said. “They are capable at that position, (Trelon Smith) has been outstanding all season for them, I think they’ll be just fine.”

Drinkwitz offered an update on how recruiting is going with the early signing day now two weeks away.

“We have an excellent class, done a nice job putting the class together,” he said. “We don’t feel pressured to fill all the slots due to players coming back… it’s interesting dealing with Zoom.”