FAYETTEVILLE -- John Chavis said one facet of his defensive philosophy will not change in his first year with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville will dial up pressure on opposing quarterbacks in some form or fashion.
"It will change up a little bit depending on our personnel," Chavis said at his introductory news conference last week. "We've changed the last couple of years.
"We're not going to try to put a square peg in a round hole. We're going to do what our personnel will allow us to do. There's certain things we're not going to deviate from. We're going to be who we are. We will be a pressure defense."
Chavis' defenses at Texas A&M were one of five in the country -- along with Alabama, Clemson, Penn State and Washington -- to rank in the top 25 in sacks in each of the past three years, capped by an SEC-best 43 sacks in 2017.
His units at LSU from 2009-2014 ranked in the top 15 nationally in total defense in each of the last five years of his six-year tenure.
Chavis' defenses have posted 14 shutouts.
QB talk
Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock declared the competition for starting quarterback would be wide open from when spring drills get underway.
"We don't want to judge our guys on the previous offense and a different style," Craddock said. "We really want to get in there and get our system implemented and see who really fits us the best.
"When you talk about who's going to be the guy, is it a guy that's a system fit? Is it a guy that's the best? We're looking for a winner. We want a guy that's going to win us football games. That's what it's all about. That's what we're going to be looking for this spring."
Better recruit
Coach Chad Morris' commitment to recruiting is all-in.
"It's the blueprint that we had taken, and how we built the staff from where we came from at Clemson," Morris said. "We came in and everything starts in recruiting, and I've said this before ... that if you can't be involved in recruiting and add some value and worth to this football program to the University of Arkansas, you will not last. That's just the bottom line.
"Our ability to turn SMU around in two-and-a-half to three years that we did was strictly -- and you can say Xs and Os all you want -- but it is strictly about getting the right fit of player in there.
"So the model of what I'm wanting that is going to get this program to where it is a national contender that we are going to be has got to start with recruiting, and it's got to end with recruiting."
Staff talk
Chad Morris started to get hyped when talking about how offensive game plans have come together for his staff in previous years.
He said offensive coordinator Joe Craddock is responsible for play calling, but he is on the headset with Craddock -- who has typically worked in the press box on game days -- and will make frequent suggestions and requests.
As for game planning, each coach will have duties. For instance, running backs coach Jeff Traylor is also associate head coach, and offensive line coach Dustin Fry carries the additional title of run game coordinator.
"Another part of what we do ... is just his knowledge in the run game and being able to come out and use our two tight end package, a three tight end package, be able to shift and motion," Morris said.
"He has a great knowledge of what we want to do and the target points when you're running inside zone, outside zone."
Morris said receivers coach Justin Stepp will focus on formations and the deep-ball plans, while Fry will focus on the run game and short-yardage sets.
"We all come back in together on a Sunday night, Monday night and start tying it all together," Morris said. "At the end of the day, the guy that is held accountable is our offensive coordinator and it falls on to the head coach."
Staying on
Bobby Allen, the longtime University of Arkansas, Fayetteville assistant coach, will remain as director of NFL and high school relations, and head athletic trainer Matt Summers will remain in that position with the new coaching staff.
Allen was a 15-year defensive assistant coach under Houston Nutt, including two terms as defensive coordinator, before moving into his current position for Bret Bielema in 2013. His sons Brandon and Austin have started all but five games at quarterback for Arkansas over the past five years.
Summers joined the athletic department in 2009 and has been director of athletic training since 2013.
Adding on
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has confirmed several off-field hires for the Razorbacks after making a public records request.
Randy Ross began official duties as director of football operations Jan. 1. Ross, a longtime staff member at Alabama, came over with Morris from SMU.
Assistant strength and conditioning coaches Chad Cain and Lance Yancy began their duties Monday.
Brooke Stepp, the wife of receivers coach Justin Stepp, began serving as director of football recruiting Jan. 1. Other staff members who started that day were Cody Vincent, who is assistant director of football operations with a focus on graphic design and social media, and Jared Hunt, assistant recruiting operations coordinator.
Sam Ogden, director of video, and Brooks Cockrell, assistant director of football video, officially started Tuesday.
Getting close
Senior receiver Jared Cornelius, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon on the first play of the second half against Texas A&M on Sept. 24, is progressing on his rehabilitation.
Cornelius posted this message on his Twitter account on Friday: "Just did a little spring at 85 percent body weight. Felt great!!! #AlmostThere."
Long odds
The website Bovada.lv has issued its odds for winning the CFP national championship and the guys in Las Vegas have listed Arkansas among the group with the longest odds at 500 to 1.
Among the other teams listed at 500 to 1 are Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Baylor and Kansas.
Alabama is listed as the favorite at 11-4, ahead of Clemson (6-1), Georgia and Ohio State (15-2) and Michigan (9-1).
Odds for other SEC teams: Auburn 20-1, LSU 25-1, Texas A&M 33-1, Florida 50-1, Mississippi State 100-1, Missouri 100-1, South Carolina 150-1 and Tennessee 250-1.
Sports on 01/14/2018