FAYETTEVILLE, AR — Since defensive back coaches Marcus Woodson and Deron Wilson took over the room, Arkansas has been shaping a youthful, but extremely talented secondary.
Jaylon Braxton is one of a few difference makers already on the roster. In 2023, the freshman made the most of his opportunity, appearing in nine games and earning 20 total tackles, eight pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, and a defensive score.
Braxton was the top signee for the Razorbacks during the 2023 recruiting cycle and made his presence known from the jump leading all freshmen defenders in tackles. If he develops over the offseason like the jump he made throughout the season, Braxton will turn heads around the SEC.
“You can count on [Braxton],” Pittman said in late September. “You can tell the game is important to him. He’s come a long way. He came in ready, he’s a grown young man. He’s doing some really good things and he’ll continue to get better as time goes on.”
Former Georgia transfer and top 20 prospect Jaheim Singletary was the second leading freshmen tackler on defense last season and did show promise for future seasons. The 6-2, 190-pounder recorded 17 tackles on the season and four pass breakups. Prior to the season, Woodson was very high on the cornerback being able to see the field early.
“Obviously being at Georgia he was able to be around some good coaches and in a good culture,” Woodson said. “He’s still young, but he’s a smart player that retains information. He takes the meeting to the field. And that’s what gives himself a chance.”
Even though Singletary was beaten on coverage throughout the season, it’s important that he is willing to learn and develop in a system that helped the Razorbacks improve from one of the worst secondary units in college football in 2022 into a top 50 unit in 2023.
The most surprising improvement in the secondary this past season was Jayden Johnson who finished third on the team with 62 tackles. Johnson played aggressively in 2023 while picking off one pass, three pass breakups and one forced fumble. Pittman said Johnson was one of the guys that turned the trajectory of his college career around last offseason to be where he is now.
As for the signing class, this one may be the most underrated group of players Pittman has signed in his five classes. Selman Bridges is the second ranked prospect for the Razorbacks in this class. The 6-4, 170-pounder picked Arkansas over Texas and Alabama while ranked inside the top 100 at the time of his commitment, according to 247sports. He can absolutely fly while possessing overwhelming size for receivers lining up against him.
Tevis Metcalf, younger brother of current Hog TJ, was a highly rated 3-star signee and helped lead his Clay-Chakville team to an undefeated championship season in Alabama. Jaden Allen was lightly contested throughout his senior year at Aledo High School in Texas due to his suffocating defense. He also chose the Hogs over Alabama and Texas. He is lightning fast with an 11-second 100 meter dash.
By numbers alone, Arkansas currently has eight former 4-star players in the secondary room. The infusion of talent alone should give Arkansas even more reason to continue improving a pass defense that ranked No. 131 in 2022. The Razorbacks gave up 202 yards per game through the air in 2023 which was good enough for No. 31 in the nation, a 100 spot increase from the season prior.
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