Could Arkansas’ perceived weaknesses actually be strengths?

The Razorbacks have plenty to work on with two weeks until kickoff, but could Arkansas’ perceived weaknesses actually be team strengths?

Exiting spring practices, defensive line and linebacker depth stood out as question marks and potential areas of concern the coaching staff would need to address.

Fast forward through two weeks and two scrimmages at fall camp, and most of the scuttlebutt suggests both position groups have shown well for themselves.

Sam Pittman was not particularly pleased with his team’s performance following Thursday’s scrimmage, but he did double-down on the overall praise his staff has given to the first two levels of the defense.

“Landon Jackson was a beast out there, really played well,” Pittman said. “D-Line really played well.”

Jackson accounted for three of Arkansas’ six sacks during the scrimmage and will be the focal point of a defensive front that is starting to take shape on the two-deep behind him, Cam Ball and Eric Gregory.

“Getting Anton (Juncaj) back, big,” Pittman said. “He’s a good player. I like our D-Line. Getting him back helped, and Quincy (Rhodes) is coming on. Getting Anton back helps a lot. I think there’s a battle there with him and Nico (Davillier).

“That makes us pretty close to pretty damn solid on the two-deep D-Line with Danny (Saili) and (Ian) Geffrard. They both have to continue coming on. They have to drop some weight and get in a little bit better shape for us to be able to play them 4, 5, 6 plays in a row instead of alternating them.”

Arkansas lost five contributors at linebacker — four to the portal — from a season ago and returned just 17 total tackles in the room.

Brad Spence and Xavian Sorey emerged from a thin pack in the spring, but it has been multiple summer additions at the position that has Pittman cautiously optimistic about what the unit is capable of.

“I think we’re pretty good, and I think we’re deep,” Pittman said. “With (Stephen) Dix and (Anthony) Switzer, and then you have Spence and Sorey.

“Sorey has had a great week, and Spence did too. They’re all four good players. I like our depth there. We’ll wait and see until the games come, but I think we’re in pretty darn good shape there.”

Arkansas opens the 2024 season on Thursday, August, 29 when it travels to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock (Ark.) to face UAPB. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPNU.