Arkansas football positional previews: Landon Jacksons return to school boosts defensive line

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There are nine weekends remaining until the return of Arkansas football.

The Razorbacks open the 2024 season in Little Rock against UAPB. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU) on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Arkansas is coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign that saw offensive coordinator Dan Enos get fired midseason and the eventual transfers of KJ Jefferson and Raheim 'Rocket' Sanders, two faces of the program.

In response, the Hogs hired Bobby Petrino and hit the transfer portal, bringing in plenty of newcomers for what feels like an all-important season for head coach Sam Pittman.

Over the next month, the Southwest Times Record will run positional previews twice a week, asking two questions and providing one bold prediction. We tackled the entire offense earlier this month, including key position groups like the quarterbacks and offensive line.

Here's a look at the other big bodies along the defensive line entering 2024.

Are there clear starters on the defensive line for Arkansas football?

Defensive end Landon Jackson and defensive tackle Cam Ball might be the two most talented players on the entire roster, so they're locks to start this fall for the Razorbacks.

Jackson is a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft who led Arkansas in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (6.5) last season. Ball started the final four games of the 2023 campaign and had a dominant spring. The success of the defense this season lies with Jackson and Ball maximizing their potential.

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The other two spots are still up for grabs. During the spring, Eric Gregory was the second tackle, but he'll face competition from Keivie Rose and transfer Danny Saili. Nico Davillier got most of the first-team reps over Anton Juncaj in the preseason camp, but Davillier has minimal collegiate experience, while Juncaj enters his fifth season.

Sophomore Quincy Rhodes and freshmen Chalie Collins and Kavion Henderson could all climb the depth chart.

In reality, who starts isn't important for this position group. Defensive line coach Deke Adams will want healthy rotation so guys remain fresh in the fourth quarter. Fans should expect to see anywhere from 8-12 defensive linemen rotating this fall.

Can Anton Juncaj translate his production to the SEC?

Juncaj's eye-popping stats in the FCS last season brought waves of optimism when he committed to the Hogs in early January. He was third in the FCS with 15 sacks last season for Albany. He also had 21.5 tackles for loss and was a first-team All-American.

But he struggled this spring. Pittman said Juncaj needed to get in better shape during the first week of practice, and the SEC newcomer must improve against the run to maximize his snaps this season.

Still, the potential is there. The last elite pass rusher to transfer out of Albany was Jared Verse, who turned two years at Florida State into hearing his name called with the 19th pick of this year's NFL Draft.

Juncaj doesn't have that high of a ceiling, but he and Jackson could form one of the best pass-rushing duos in the SEC if any of his past production translates into the league.

One bold prediction: Landon Jackson records double-digit sacks

A recent 2025 mock draft from CBS Sports projected Jackson to be selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 30th pick overall. Jackson will shore up his draft stock with a terrific senior season in Fayetteville.

Perhaps the biggest key to this prediction is the play of his teammates. Arkansas needs to develop the rest of the defensive line so Jackson isn't seeing double-teams on every snap.

What the coaches said this spring

"I think he’s taken his game to another level. Coach Adams does a really good job with the whole front four, coaching those guys and getting those guys prepared. You could see the growth from last year, starting with Cam Ball."

— Arkansas defensive coordinator on Cam Ball's development.

Projected depth chart

• Landon Jackson, senior; Cam Ball, redshirt junior; Eric Gregory, redshirt senior; Nico Davillier, junior.
• Anton Juncaj, senior; Keivie Rose, redshirt senior; Danny Saili, junior; Quincy Rhodes, sophomore.
• Charlie Collins, freshman; Ian Geffrard, redshirt freshman; Kaleb James, redshirt freshman; Kavion Henderson, freshman.