GREENLAW FORGOES

waiting game in 2016.

FAYETTEVILLE — After Dre Greenlaw played seven defensive snaps in Arkansas’ first two games last season against Texas- El Paso and Toledo, the freshman linebacker was hoping to get on the field more against Texas Tech.

“I was kind of a little disappointed because I was feeling like I really wanted snaps,” Greenlaw said. “The coaches knew what they were doing, of course.”

What the coaches did next surprised Greenlaw. He got his wish for more plays and then some when he was told by linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves he’d start the Texas Tech game.

“I was just like, ‘Whaaaa?’ ” Greenlaw said of his initial reaction. “Coach Hargreaves said, ‘Yeah, we want you to come in. We feel like you can cover well. We want you to go in and be able to use your athleticism.’ “So I was like, ‘All right.’ “Not only was Greenlaw starting in his third college game, but he was doing so against a Big 12 Conference opponent at a new position after playing safety for Fayetteville High School.

As the game drew closer, word began to leak Greenlaw had moved up the depth chart to a first- team spot at weakside linebacker. He replaced Brooks Ellis, who returned to his old middle linebacker spot after Josh Williams suffered a leg injury against Toledo.

“Everybody kept texting me like, ‘ Oh, man, you’re starting this game,’ ” Greenlaw said. “I was like, ‘Yeah,’ trying to play it cool, but I was dying inside.”

Texas Tech gained 486 yards in beating the Razorbacks 35-24, but Greenlaw showed promise, making nine tackles. He stayed in the starting lineup the rest of the season and helped Arkansas finish 8-5, including 5-3 in SEC games.

“We kind of threw Dre into the fire last fall against Texas Tech,” defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. “Ever since then, he’s really become a student of the game, and Vernon has done a nice job of helping him from a technical standpoint.”

Greenlaw goes into Arkansas’ season opener against Louisiana Tech today as one of the SEC’s top sophomores. He led SEC freshmen with 95 tackles last season and was named to freshman All-American teams compiled by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News.

“It’s fun watching him mature and become a player,” Hargreaves said. “You can see the difference in how he handles himself on the field, because he really looks like he knows what he’s doing now.”

Arkansas’ defensive scheme is designed for the weakside linebacker to be free and chase down the ball, and Coach Bret Bielema is expecting a lot more tackles from Greenlaw this season.

“A year ago, he was a good athlete running around on the field that made a bunch of plays,” Bielema said. “Now he’s an athlete that knows where to line up, where to function, where to matchup in our run and our pass defense.

“He’s made plays left and right in practice. His ball skills are phenomenal. I’m excited to see him on Saturday.”

Greenlaw said he’s more confident thanks to last season’s experience, but he still expects to have pregame jitters.

“I feel like I’m a lot more prepared, but I’m a little more nervous, I guess, because I know I’ve got to do more in this game than I did my very first game last year,” Greenlaw said. “I’m playing a bigger role.”

Ellis, a senior captain with 28 career starts, said Greenlaw has established himself.

“Dre’s looking great and prepares like he’s been here as long as I have,” Ellis said. “It’s good to have him by my side.

“Last year was a great year for him, but I’m expecting even more from him this year.”

Greenlaw said the game has slowed down for him.

“I feel like I’m a step ahead of what I was last year,” he said. “I feel like this year I should go out there and just dominate. I still mess up sometimes, but I know what I’m supposed to do and how I’m supposed to do it. I’m much quicker to the ball.”