Does Arkansas have a top 50 defense in 2023?

After a dismal 2022 season defensively, Arkansas looks to rebound this fall. They’ll be going at a different pace and away from the 3-2-6 base that former defensive coordinator Barry Odom used.

In comes a new philosophy. A new approach of aggressiveness, more attacking but fundamentally sound each play. The way Arkansas played previously was a bend-don’t-break style trying to keep explosive plays down and the offensive player in front of them. It worked to slow down heavy passing attacks. However, when it came to teams that ran more the Hogs were continuously gashed.

Now, the faults from last season weren’t totally on Odom or his staff. The defense was handcuffed due to a widespread of injuries to the secondary that they never recovered from.

Arkansas couldn’t keep up after losing Jalen Catalon for the season and Myles Slusher sporadically. They continued to struggle with LaDarrius Bishop out who was arguably the fastest player on the defense. More injuries piled up and Pittman had to switch a few guys over from receiver to play in the secondary come mid-season. It was certainly not an ideal situation to be in but you play the hand dealt to you.

After Odom left for the head coaching job at UNLV, Pittman was tasked with finding a suitable replacement. Someone with experience in the SEC, young with fresh ideas and someone that has proven to be an effective defensive coordinator at the college level. Although, Travis Williams hadn’t been in the coordinator game for long, he had a long history with being around the conference and was successful where the Razorbacks were not last season and that’s third downs, redzone and big play percentage.

No, top-50 isn’t necessarily where you want to be but it’s still a hell of a lot better than where they were last season (124).

Top 50 Best Defenses In College Football pic.twitter.com/k51rMGZT3R

— Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) July 11, 2023

New Defensive Staff

To go along with Williams, Marcus Woodson (co-DC) and Deron Wilson (DB coach) have recruited tremendously before they’ve been able to display their coaching abilities.

It’s one thing to sell yourself to recruits but it’s another to be able to contribute to a top level SEC program as an assistant. Woodson has been a successful assistant at his previous three stops (Memphis, Auburn and Florida State) and has produced high level talent for the next level. He knows the blueprint of how to be successful in this conference. That bodes well for Arkansas with so many folks on Pittman’s case for a 7-6 season in 2022.

Returning Starters

There’s several players that are capable of being breakout stars. Ruining more of a traditional four man front will help with the constant pressure that Williams employs. Arkansas is at least six deep amongst the defensive ends with several seasoned veterans. Whether they’ve been in the program for a while or just transferring it the Hogs have options.

Landon Jackson and Trajan Jeffcoat have displayed spurts of all-SEC performances during the spring. Jeffcoat, the Missouri transfer, actually has that tag in his resume.

John Morgan, Zach Williams, Jaahaud Stewart and Nico Davillier all seem to be heavy rotational pieces as edge rushers. If there was one to have a tremendous breakout 20223 season it would have to be Williams. If the Little Rock, (Ark.) native outs together a consistent 12-game regular season he could put himself in the NFL Draft radar.

Keivie Rose and Anthony Booker will be a monster pair of tackles poised to make an impact as transfers. Both were extremely productive at their former stops.

What about the secondary, though? Of course they were the worst unit in all of college football for much of the 2022 season. Arkansas returns standout corner Dwight ‘Nudie’ McGlothern while adding Alfhaiym Walcott and Lorando ‘Snaxx’ Johnson from Baylor. The two former Bear defense backs were part of a pass defense in 2021 that was in the top 10 in the country. That bolsters a backend that improved throughout the final four games of the 2022 regular season.

You have to believe there will be a tick of improvement from last year. A new staff, solid returnees and quality depth added to the secondary should make for a quick turnaround.

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