Linebackers Creating Momentum Heading into Senior Season
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The off-season leading up to a player’s senior year is often seen as a crucial and deeply personal period for athletes in any sport. It represents a final chance to take the field, to pursue long-held goals, and to craft…
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Continue ReadingThe off-season leading up to a player’s senior year is often seen as a crucial and deeply personal period for athletes in any sport. It represents a final chance to take the field, to pursue long-held goals, and to craft lasting memories. Arkansas boasts a wealth of defensive talent, and among them are a handful of names that even casual fans should recognize.
Cash Archer Cash Archer 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Greenwood | 2025 State AR | Greenwood
2023 Stats: 78 tackles, 20 sacks, 29 TFL, 4.6 40
Cash Archer Cash Archer 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Greenwood | 2025 State AR , a standout talent across the state and one of the brightest minds on the defensive side of the ball. Archer (6-2, 220) possesses exceptional anticipation skills, allowing him to read plays at the snap and decipher blocking schemes with ease, ensuring he meets ball carriers in any hole with precision. His prowess is particularly evident in blitzing scenarios, where his innate ability to quickly shoot gaps disrupts offensive plays before linemen can react.
Archer demonstrates superior technique in beating offensive linemen to the point of leverage, often utilizing a quick first step and powerful hands to rip through their outside shoulder with surprising force. When facing pass protection blocks from running backs, he approaches with unwavering intensity, overpowering many with his sheer strength at the point of contact.
Hailing from the esteemed Greenwood Bulldogs lineage, Archer has the opportunity to carve his name as one of the best linebackers in the program’s storied history.
Walter Hicks Walter Hicks 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Benton | 2025 State AR | Benton
2023 Stats: 104 tackles, 11 sacks, 14 TFL
Walter Hicks Walter Hicks 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Benton | 2025 State AR is the epitome of a physical presence for the Benton Panther defense. Standing at 6-0 and weighing 215 pounds, Hicks poses a daunting challenge for opponents, particularly in the heart of the defensive formation. His exceptional coverage skills make him a nightmare matchup, as he effectively disrupts receivers who dare to venture across the middle of the field. Hicks’s instincts shine when defending quick screens, as he anticipates plays and swiftly neutralizes ball carriers before blockers can establish their positions.
When it comes to blitzing, Hicks’s impeccable timing at the snap enables him to utilize his impressive acceleration to penetrate inside gaps, causing disruptions at the hand-off and wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
Moreover, Hicks’s superb footwork is evident across all facets of his game, allowing him to excel in both zone and man coverage while maintaining a relentless mentality to dominate in the trenches.
Nickolus Tyler | Joe T. Robinson
Nickolus Tyler, standing at 6-0 and weighing 185 pounds, stands out as a top-notch ball carrier pursuer, known for his exceptional angles and relentless tenacity in fighting through blocks to make impactful stops all over the field. With a knack for filling gaps and executing tackles with excellent form, Tyler consistently delivers numerous solo tackles with ease.
What distinguishes Tyler from others is his instinctive approach to leveraging incoming blockers, effectively creating logjams for ball carriers and setting up backfield stops for his teammates. His ability to influence plays, even without direct involvement in the stat sheet, underscores his value as a disruptive force on the field.
Kaden Nash Kaden Nash 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Pulaski Academy | 2025 State AR | Pulaski Academy
Kaden Nash Kaden Nash 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Pulaski Academy | 2025 State AR , one of the state’s underrated linebackers, brings an unstoppable pass rush, relying on a deceptively effective rip move to wreak havoc on the outside shoulder of offensive linemen. Despite his smaller stature at 5-8 and 185 pounds, Nash possesses a relentless motor, blitzing with full force from the weak side and demonstrating exceptional speed to chase down tackles even 15 yards away on the opposite side of the field.
Hailing from Pulaski Academy, Nash operates with a high football IQ and a keen eye for film review, allowing him to anticipate real-time developments on the field. Employing a variety of techniques, including delays on blitzes, spin moves, bull-rushes, and his signature rip move, Nash keeps offensive linemen guessing and prevents them from keying in on his next attack. His adaptability and willingness to do whatever it takes to position himself advantageously make him a formidable force on the defensive front.