Deron Wilson updates how Arkansas newcomers fit in secondary

If there was one thing that derailed the Arkansas football team in 2022, it was injuries in the secondary. They piled up and simply wouldn’t relent, leading to disaster in the back end. Can Arkansas newcomers fix the issue in 2023?

They had better, because Arkansas finished dead last nationally in passing defense.

But the Razorbacks were very intentional about shoring up the secondary this offseason, taking in five transfers in addition to the normal freshman class. And already the Hogs are seeing the new additions make their mark.

“We’ve got a few new guys,” secondary coach Deron Wilson said. “One of them, Jaheim Singletary, has been really impressive these first four days. Getting the defense down, he’s flying around, communicating, fitting in with the rest of the guys.”

A Georgia transfer and the most high-profile of the Arkansas newcomers, Singletary was one of the top recruits in the 2022 class. He ranked as a five-star prospect and was the No. 26 overall player in the class and the No. 4 cornerback in the class.

He didn’t play a whole lot for the Bulldogs, but that figures to change with the Razorbacks.

Meanwhile, another transfer has also impressed like Singletary so far this offseason and early on in fall camp.

“Same with Keeyon Stewart,” Wilson said. “Another new guy that we have, just getting him acclimated and he’s doing a good job. Impressive player. Both of those guys.”

Stewart is a TCU transfer who logged 46 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and 10 passes defended, across four seasons of action with the Horned Frogs. He’s one of the Arkansas newcomers with some experience under his belt.

Beyond the transfers, a pair of signees is also stepping up.

“When you talk about from a freshman perspective, TJ Metcalf, he continues to impress,” Wilson said. “If you walked on the field you wouldn’t even know he’s a freshman, how he communicates, how he talks. He’s impressive.

“Also another guy, Jalen Braxton has been having a really good fall camp also. Just talking from a new guys or freshman perspective.”

Braxton was the program’s top-ranked enrollee, a four-star prospect who ranked as the No. 137 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. He ranked as the no. 15 cornerback in the class, one of the highest-rated among the Arkansas newcomers.

Metcalf, on the other hand, was significantly less regarded. He was a three-star prospect, ranking No. 566 overall in the class and No. 52 at safety.