FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' secondary coach Deron Wilson likes where Arkansas is at with the second week of the preseason starting on Monday.
The Razorbacks went in the morning on Monday for the first time this preseason. Wilson talked about what he wanted to see from the cornerbacks from last year until now.
"As you look at the film and you go back and watch it, we had to get depth, which we did," Wilson said. "We addressed the depth issue with older guys who can play and also understanding when you bring in guys from the portal, try to get them in early so they can go through the spring. Two guys we had last year came in at the beginning of fall camp, the other came in the summer. So, from a relationship standpoint and time standpoint, from a timing standpoint, in the spring they get to know them, they get to know you, you get to know them and y’all continue to build and time we know brings trust. When you’re consistent over time, the player trusts you, you trust the player and y’all can thrive together."
Wilson feels the cornerback depth is good this season and went into more detail.
"From the corners in particular, we have this saying," Wilson said. "In the secondary in total, we have standards, not starters. So when you talk in terms of that, if we set the standard, set the bar high consistently day in and day out, you have to reach that standard because it’s a real competitive group. When you start talking about Jaylon Braxton and Kee’yon Stewart and Cuddie Robinson, Jaheim Singletary. A young guy, with Selman Bridges I think it’s a competitive group and each day they get better every day no matter who it is.
"To be honest, with the whole secondary, this is the closest group I’ve ever been amongst, amongst players on and off the field. Holding each other accountable and when they hold each other accountable, it’s like, ‘Hey, you’re right. I did that, you’re right and let’s fix it.’ So, I think this group has a chance to really, really be special because of the depth and the talent."
Two versatile players who have switched around from linebacker and safety are Larry Worth III and former Arkansas State and Marion athlete Anthony Switzer.
"When you think about Larry, you think about a guy that’s 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 that has the ability to run a 48 quarter," Wilson said. "In most states, if you run a 400 meter in 48 seconds, you’re either going to be first or second in that event. So, when you think of him from a speed and length standpoint, he has position flexibility whether he can play outside linebacker/HOG position, whether he can play safety. So, we’ll find multiple ways to use him similar to the last place he was at. We’ll find different ways to use him and same with Anthony Switzer.
"Multiple ways to use him whether it’s linebacker, he can play boundary safety, he has experience and he’s an extremely intelligent player. I think one day, he’s going to be a really, really good coach. Just talking to him, that guy is extremely intelligent and he has the ability to run, has the toughness of a linebacker but the ability of a defensive back."
In addition to the safety spots, Arkansas uses a Hog and Wilson explained what goes into an athlete playing that spot.
"When you try to find the Hog position, it's an extension of the corner," Wilson said. "You start thinking, I need to find someone that has cornerback ability, aka [Doneiko Slaughter], played a little bit at the last place he was at, but also could have the physicality of a safety. It's the fine line of those types of players that have position flexibility, that position at Hog.
"It shows you should be able to play anywhere in a secondary without a problem, because you have to set the passion strength, you have to know to go away from the passing strength. And when you think of Larry Worth, he's a guy that is a little different in a body sense, right? He's more the guy that, if he plays that position, when he plays that position it’s more personnel kind of things, but he also has the ability to guard receivers.
"Next guy, a young guy that's having a really impressive camp, you think about Tevis Metcalf. And also TJ Metcalf has that same ability to play that position. I always joke and say those Metcalf guys are different. They’re built different from a mentality standpoint. I think they were raised the right way. With the last name they have, they definitely don't let it down."
For a versatile player like Switzer, Wilson talked about what it's like finding his best position.
"‘Switz’ Army Knife," Wilson said. "You know what I mean? You find different ways to use him. [That’s] our job as coaches, and I don't want to speak for the coordinator because that's more of a coordinator question, you know what I mean? Similar to the last question, it's a coordinator question. We collab as a staff of how we're going to use the guy, but I think we'll figure out ways. Coach T-Will and the defensive staff, we’ll figure out ways to make sure he's in the best position where he can make plays and the defense can make plays."
Arkansas will practice again Tuesday at 9 a.m. They open the season on Thursday, Aug. 29, in Little Rock against UAPB at 6:30 p.m. and on ESPNU.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action
