Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Friday’s media availability…

I. Highsmith Returns
Senior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith admits he is having to adjust to being coached on field by Taver Johnson. He’s also getting used to working alongside Tenarius Wright, who was a defensive end last season.

Not that Highsmith is complaining. He’s just happy to be back on the field after sitting out in the spring with a pectoral injury.

“It felt good to be back out there,” said Highsmith, the team's top returning tackler. “It’s been a long time. I’m starting to knock all the rust off right now.”

Things have changed for Highsmith, who was injured in the weight room on the final day of testing. His injury kept him out of spring practice, so he missed working on the field with Johnson. Wright’s move to linebacker came about because of Highsmith’s injury and now coaches are working to get them on the field together.

“We’ve been talking about it in meetings, but it’s finally [happening],” Highsmith said. “I like it so far.”

Highsmith spent additional time watching film and worked out the arm and other parts of his body he could while injured.

We caught up with Highsmith over the summer and talked to him about all the changes to the coaching staff and moving Wright to middle linebacker. Hear what he had to say about all the transition here: 

II. High Praise
Steve Caldwell has overseen the development of some talented defensive ends during his career as a college assistant. So his words on Arkansas’ incoming freshmen carry some weight.

And it’s fair to say Caldwell is impressed with the newcomers.