Arkansas pass defense has nowhere to go but up
The Arkansas Razorbacks secondary has nowhere to go but up after finishing at the very bottom of the SEC in pass defense in 2024 and 111th nationally, a season removed from being one of the top four best units against the pass in an overall dreadful 2023 campaign.
Last fall, the Hogs allowed 246.9 yards per contest through 13 games and will rely on multiple new faces to help that room make strides after losing a host of experience to the NFL Draft and transfer portal. It is entirely too early to make assumptions either way, but Head Hog Sam Pittman and the coaching staff could not have asked for a better start to fall camp on the defensive back end.
Four secondary players nabbed interceptions on Friday, all of whom transferred in during the offseason.
“I think it was a lot of different guys,” Pittman recalled. “Julian Neal had a pick and I don’t know, there was three or four of them. It was good to see and we need to get those. It’s one day, but I’ve also seen them through the summer. I think our secondary is much improved.
“But right off the top, I think it was kind of share the wealth a little bit.”
The full quartet included Neal, who came east from Fresno State, plus Quentavious Scandrett (Eastern Michigan), Shakur Smalls (Maine) and Caleb Wooden from Arkansas’ SEC foe Auburn. A new face will also be coaching the secondary in Nick Perry, arrived in Fayetteville from the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks in January.
ALSO READ: Takeaways from Arkansas’ second day of fall camp
Worth the price of admission
Senior Larry Worth is the leader of the secondary after playing in all 13 games for Arkansas in 2024 that included five starts. He has worked at both the boundary safety, as well as the “Hog” position – a nickelback role.
“I bounce around,” Worth said. “You’re going to see that, I bounce around every day. That’s just me.”
After playing at Jacksonville State, which competed in both the FCS and Group of Five ranks during Worth’s time there, the defensive schemes at Arkansas have started to become more clear.
“I’ll say the main thing is just slowing the game down for you,” he said. “It’s easier said than done, but just slows the game down for you. Your confidence is going to grow. Wherever you were at before you were here, you’re not there no more, so you got to prove yourself again and just continue to stack days. Just let that confidence grow.”
Bridges ready to take next step?
Sophomore cornerback Selman Bridges expects to see his role increase drastically in 2025. He played in seven games during his freshman season and logged a pass breakup.
“Yeah, but I think there’s two-fold there,” Pittman responded when asked if Temple (Texas) native has positively progressed during the offseason.
“I think number one, he’s got a different body, you know, he’s bigger and he’s stronger. He’s in the best shape of his life. There’s power in that, like I’ve talked about before. All those things build confidence. He’s always had athletic ability. He was a highly-rated guy out of high school, but now he’s able to use it because he’s got a body that can do it, and he’s in shape. Obviously, knows the defense much better than he did a year ago, so he’s in a battle over there, and that’s a good thing.”
Along with Bridges, Pittman mentioned that he has been pleased with what he has seen from returning corners Jaheim Singletary and Kani Walker, as well as JUCO transfer Keshawn Davila.
“I like where Jaheim is and Davila made some plays,” Pittman added. “Walker is a good player. So I like where we’re at with that corner.”
The Razorbacks will return to the practice field for Day 3 of fall camp on Sunday morning. Be sure to stay tuned to HawgBeat for more coverage of Arkansas football. Subscribe to HawgBeat right now for $1 and also receive a from year of The Athletic for new members.
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