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First-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith completed an impressive turnaround of the Arkansas defense in 2014.
The Hogs ranked seventh in the SEC in both scoring defense and total defense, fourth in rush defense and eighth in pass defense. While those numbers may not leap off the page, it is marked improvement over a year ago.
Who were the five best defensive players for the Razorbacks this season, a season in which the unit got stronger as the season progressed and pitched back-to-back shut outs of SEC opponents for the first time since joining conference play in 1992?
Let’s rank them.
5. Tevin Mitchel, CB: Mitchel anchored a secondary that began the season as the achilles heel of the unit. However, as the season wore on, the back end of the defense got stronger and Mitchel provided a steady presence on the outside at cornerback. The senior recorded 18 total tackles on the season, two interceptions and eight pass breakups. Mitchel came up with big plays in key moments down the stretch, and improved as a cover corner in his final campaign suiting up for the Hogs.
4. Rohan Gaines, S: Gaines held down the defensive backfield from his safety position. The junior started all 12 games alongside Alan Turner and finished fifth on the team in tackles, with 59 on the season. Gaines also tallied one tackle for loss, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Gaines made, perhaps, the play of the season for the Arkansas defense, a 100-yard interception return in the 30-0 win over Ole Miss.
3. Darius Philon, DT: The sophomore had a strong season inside on the Arkansas front four, recording 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Philon also notched three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and five quarterback hurries, in addition to his 45 total tackles. Philon terrorized opposing offensive lines as part of the inside-out duo of himself and senior Trey Flowers.
2. Trey Flowers, DE: The senior had his best season as a Razorback in Smith’s scheme, transforming into an impact player early in the 2014 campaign. Flowers spent much of his time in the backfield, registering a team-best 13.5 sacks and 5.0 sacks. Flowers was virtually unblockable off the edge, tallying 63 total tackles on the season. Flowers, along with Philon, anchored a one of the best front sevens in the SEC. Flowers’ departure will leave a gaping hole at defensive end in 2015.
1. Martrell Spaight, LB: Spaight’s career was revived by Smith. The senior had a magnificent year at linebacker, recording a team-leading 123 tackles on the year, 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery. Spaight performed well in pass coverage and defending the run from his middle linebacker position.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
