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Sumrall Has High Praise For Arkansas DB Jahiem Johnson, Silverfield

Former Tulane coach enjoyed coaching Johnson, will now watch him play for SEC foe
Samuel Stubbs|
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Antonio Jordan (19) is tackled by defensive back Jahiem Johnson (20) and defensive back Ian Williams (23) during the spring game at Razorback Stadium.
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Antonio Jordan (19) is tackled by defensive back Jahiem Johnson (20) and defensive back Ian Williams (23) during the spring game at Razorback Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In their two matchups as the head coaches of Memphis and Tulane, Ryan Silverfield and Jon Sumrall went 1-1 against each other.

But Silverfield one-upped Sumrall as the two began their head coaching tenures at their new SEC schools of Arkansas and Florida by nabbing Tulane transfer DB Jahiem 'Joker' Johnson, who picked off four passes, broke up 11, forced a fumble and totaled 42 tackles with the Green Wave last season.

"Joker Johnson... played quarterback in high school, enjoyed coaching him at Tulane," Sumrall said Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida. "From Hammond, Lousiana, a smart, dependable, tough player. I think the Razorback fans are going to enjoy watching him play. Tremendous young man, high character."

Arkansas and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts certainly wouldn't mind if Johnson replicated his Tulane production at Arkansas. The Razorbacks' secondary was 13th in the SEC in 2025 and dead last in 2024, and its only holdover from 2025 is redshirt senior Miguel Mitchell. Arkansas returns no players in the secondary who intercepted a pass in 2025.

Sumrall's Respect for Silverfield, Golesh

Sumrall is one of three first-year SEC head coaches in 2026 who coached against each other in the American last season. Sumrall took the Green Wave to the College Football Playoff, where it lost to Ole Miss. He beat Silverfield and Memphis and beat Auburn HC Alex Golesh and South Florida in 2024.

Now, he finds himself in the throes of the SEC alongside his former American peers. While Sumrall's Gators won't play Silverfield and the Razorbacks this season, they will place Auburn on Sept. 19. Auburn and Arkansas are set to clash on Nov. 7.

"Ryan Silverfield, Alex Golesh, friends of mine," Sumrall said. "In the same league with them the last two years, both really good football coaches, did great jobs where they were in our conference. Every time we would coach against them, I knew we had to be ready to play our A-game to have a chance to win. Happy for their success and their opportunities. Both guys I'm very proud of."

Provided Silverfield and Sumrall are still around at their current schools next season, they will face off in 2027 when Arkansas visits The Swamp. Florida will pay a visit to Fayetteville in 2029.

Golesh and Auburn will come to Fayetteville in 2028.

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Samuel Stubbs
SAMUEL STUBBS

Sam Stubbs is a student at the University of Arkansas pursuing a degree in journalism. He has worked at the UA’s student newspaper, the Arkansas Traveler, since October 2025, becoming the assistant sports editor in December 2025. When he's not writing about the Razorbacks, Sam can be found covering NASCAR for Yardbarker and is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), winning an award for race coverage from the association in February 2025. He's previously worked for Heavy, Field Level Media, Frontstretch and FanSided.

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