Increased Depth Makes Hogs Secondary Interesting

After adding several DBs out of transfer portal, Razorbacks looking for a turnaround

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Aug 19, 2023 8:41 AM EDT
Original:
Aug 18, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While the focus last season was on what Arkansas' pass defense that finished last in the country couldn't do, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson said he wants the secondary focused on what it can do and build from there.

One of the first things the staff could do was bring in new faces like former 2022 five-star recruit Jaheim Singletary, a transfer from. No one knew about his addition to the team until coach Sam Pittman mentioned it in passing during a press conference in March. Singletary gives the Hogs a different look with extra size on the boundary.

"[Singletary] is a selfless kid," Woodson said. "He is someone that came in and really adapted to the guys as if he had been here the whole time.

One attribute Pittman looks for in a player is how hard they work and love the game. A blue collar approach that reminds the Head Hog of those who reside in Arkansas.

"Again, he is super talented, but the most important thing is his love for the sport," Woodson said. He loves football. If you love football and you’ve got talent, success is going to happen for you.”

According to 247Sports, Singletary was a top 20 prospect out of high school who is projected anywhere from the first to third round of the NFL Draft.

The Hogs’ also brought in defensive back Jaylon Braxton, their highest ranked signee in the 2023 recruiting class. Coaches have been in awe of his speed and transition to the college level.

“Jaylon Braxton can fly," secondary coach Deron Wilson said. "He has really good change of direction. He’s mature and he wants to be a really good player.”

It's hard to earn playing time in the SEC as a freshman, but the Frisco, Texas native’s performance in practice might provide him an opportunity.

“To be a freshman competing with the twos and getting limited reps with the ones, that’s a good spot to be in,” Woodson said.

With the emergence of Braxton, the Hogs’ have been able to keep Lorando “Snaxx” Johnson at “Hog” also known as nickelback. Meanwhile, former TCU transfer Kee’Yon Stewart is making a case to be included in the DB rotation as well. The redshirt senior has plenty of game experience, but only six starts.

"[Stewart] has been a great addition as well," Woodson said. "He is a very talented kid that has played a lot of football. I’m still pushing him to strain more. That’s the thing, he has got to practice more like the standard here at Arkansas. And it’s getting better, but he still got some improvement to do.”

Communication will be key during the transition into a new defense. It's an area Woodson hopes to move into that what the secondary does well category.

“We’ve all been stepping up and taking the leadership role,” defensive back Jayden Johnson said. “We try to communicate and make sure everyone is on the right track. Because if there’s no leadership or communicating it’s hard. The coaches have are doing a good job of making us understand that.”