Arkansas Football Preseason Outlook: Secondary

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' secondary has undergone a massive transition after allowing an FBS-worst 294.7 passing yards per game in 2022.
The Razorbacks saw the departures of five defensive backs, a defensive coordinator and a cornerbacks coach since the end of last season. From a personnel standpoint, the two most prominent losses figure to be two defensive captains, safeties Jalen Catalon and Simeon Blair.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman addressed the secondary with urgency this offseason after injuries and poor coverage plagued the Razorbacks. Pittman added 10 new faces to the position group — 5 transfers and 5 freshmen.
The unit will be led by senior cornerback Dwight McGlothern who was selected to the preseason All-SEC first team after recording four interceptions last season. McGlothern formed a formidable boundary duo with Quincey McAdoo during the backend of 2022.
McAdoo has been rehabbing a neck injury resulting from an off-season car accident and there has not been a timetable given for his return. Baylor transfer Lorando "Snaxx" Johnson stood out alongside McAdoo during spring practices.
Johnson started 12 games for the Bears last season, totaling 16 tackles and 5 pass breakups. He and McGlothern consistently won more one-on-one reps against receivers than the rest of the defensive backs throughout spring practices.
Behind them there was fierce competition between returners LaDarrius Bishop and Malik Chavis. Freshman cornerback Jaylon Braxton is Arkansas' top-ranked recruit in the 2023 class and will have a chance to see ample game action.
Redshirt freshman Jaheim Singletary, a 5-star transfer from Georgia, is another name to watch. He is a bit of an unknown commodity after redshirting with the Bulldogs and missing spring ball with the Razorbacks.
The additional depth should allow Hudson Clark to resume a more comfortable role in the Arkansas secondary as a deep safety and Jayden Johnson to see more time in the box as opposed to dropping in coverage.
Al Walcott, another Baylor transfer, was injured for a majority of spring practice, but is one of the top candidates for a starting safety role based on his previous experience. The sixth-year senior earned All-Big 12 second-team honors after racking up 82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3 forced fumbles last season.
More freshmen who will be competing for playing time in Arkansas' new-look secondary include 4-star cornerback Dallas Young, and 3-star safeties TJ Metcalf, RJ Johnson, and Christian Ford.