Bradley Shaw has gone from promising piece to the center of Arkansas’ defense, and the Razorbacks are treating him like the man in the middle.
That was already clear back in the spring, when defensive coordinator Ron Roberts called this “his team.” It’s become even clearer through fall camp, where Shaw has worked with the first-team MIKE linebackers and carried the green dot, the sign that he’s the defender getting the in-helmet communication.
The job comes with more than just calls and alignment. It asks for command, calm and a steady hand when the picture changes fast. Shaw said that part of the role didn’t come naturally right away.
“It's something I definitely had to grow into,” Shaw said. “Coach Roberts and [Arkansas linebackers coach Cannon Gibbs], they helped me grow into that role. At first, it was kind of unusual because I never had to command, but they've helped me grow into that role.
“I knew that, and it's more of putting things at ease. When they come out in a formation that's unfamiliar, just helping put things at ease. Roberts is in my ear and he's helping me out, and he's helping me command the defense and get people lined up and get us in the right checks and calls, and things like that.”
Roberts has plenty of confidence in what Shaw brings. In his eyes, the junior linebacker has the traits that matter most for the position: intelligence, coachability and consistency.
“His thing is about consistency, and he just does a great job,” Roberts said. “He's really coachable.
He's very intelligent. So he allows us to do a lot of things also putting checks on him and he can do get us in the right call and get us in a little better situation.”
Roberts went even further when describing what Shaw means to the defense now.
“I've got high expectations for Bradley Shaw,” Roberts said. “I think he's a dude.
He's trimmed himself down. He was 240, he's down to 227, 225.
He's moving a lot better. He's one of the guys who are highly intelligent, high football IQ.
He's absorbed a lot of things.
“He's a guy that takes coaching very well. He's hard on himself.
He wants to be good. He's what you're looking for in a Mike backer.
I'm not saying he can't be dethroned, but I would say right now it's probably Bradley Shaw's football team and it's his job to lead.”
The numbers back up why Arkansas is leaning his way. Shaw has played in 24 games over the past two seasons and made seven starts last year. He has 62 total tackles in his Razorbacks career, and in 2025 alone he’s posted 50 tackles, 24 solo stops, 26 assists, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection.
He arrived from Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala., as a four-star prospect, ranked the 18th-best linebacker and the 236th-highest rated player in the Class of 2024.
Shaw said some of what he’s trying to bring now comes from the players who lined up next to him before.
“You've got to get everybody to the ball, make sure everybody's motivated,” Shaw said. “You've got to make sure the checks are right.
If something's not right you've got to make it right. That's something that I took from Stephen Dix, and Sorey, just his motor.
Just his go, go, go. Just the motor he has.”
For Arkansas, the next step comes quickly. Shaw and the Hogs wrapped up Day 9 of camp on Saturday, and the first scrimmage follows on Sunday. The regular season begins against North Alabama.
In Other News...
Arkansas QB Battle Just Took A Tense Turn In Scrimmage
The Arkansas quarterback race remains wide open after a recent scrimmage turned into a showcase for multiple arms. KJ Jackson, AJ Hill, Hank Hendrix, Braeden Fuller and Cade Trotter all helped lead scoring drives, but the offense still came away without a clear answer on who is pushing ahead in the competition.
Ryan Silverfield said the starting job has not been decided with 20 days left before the season opener, a reminder that the staff still has time but not much of it. Receiver Chris Marshall said he is confident in whichever quarterback ends up getting the nod, but for now the Razorbacks are still waiting for one passer to separate himself from the pack. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Suddenly Has A Tough Tight End Problem To Solve
Arkansas is heading into the season with another roster wrinkle to sort through, and this one lands at tight end. Maddox Lassiter will be out for the 2026 season after an injury that required surgery, coach Ryan Silverfield confirmed, leaving the Razorbacks with one less option at a spot that often matters plenty in both the run game and the passing game.
The injury news does come with at least one encouraging update elsewhere, since running back Sutton Smith is working back from a lower leg issue and is expected to be ready for the season opener. Even so, Arkansas has already had to absorb season-ending absences for punter Connor Smith and defensive end J'Lynn Allen, making the early depth chart conversations a little more complicated than anyone wanted. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas May Have Found A Timely Answer At Tight End
An injury in fall camp has forced Arkansas to take a closer look at its tight end depth, and Ty Lockwood has started to make a timely case for a bigger role. The Boston College transfer and former Alabama recruit has been one of the more encouraging developments of camp, drawing notice from the staff for the way he has fit into the offense as the Razorbacks sort through options at the position.
Head coach Barry Lunney Jr. pointed to Lockwood's growth during a recent media availability, noting the broader value he has brought in both phases of the offense. Arkansas has also gotten strong impressions from freshman defensive back Brandon Ford and redshirt freshman running back Markeylin Batton, but the tight end spot now looks like one of the more intriguing battles to watch as camp moves on. [Read more 🡒]