We continue HawgBeat's series of analyzing Arkansas' games through the lens of Pro Football Focus after the Razorbacks' 39-31 (2OT) loss to No. 16 Oklahoma State.
The analytics from PFF keep track of grades for each player on a scale of 0-100. The website goes further into depth on specific grades, but for the purpose of this story, we will just look at defensive grades.
Here are grades on the defensive side of the ball from the Oklahoma State game...
Team Grades
~Overall: 88.9
~Defense: 70.8
~Run defense: 88.0
~Tackling: 61.2
~Pass rush: 59.0
~Coverage: 61.6
Notes
~ Two grades jump off the page for the Razorbacks, as linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. finished with a 90.7 run defense grade and safety TJ Metcalf had an 88.2 tackling grade — both highs for the Hogs.
~ The three worst tackling grades for Arkansas were Nico Davillier's (31.8), Anthony Switzer's (32.1) and Jaheim Singletary's (28.8).
~ Linebacker Brad Spence had the fourth-worst defensive grade at 60.5, but performed well in run defense (76.2) and tackling (81.6).
~ Only one Razorback finished with a pass-rush grade above 60.0 in Davillier (65.2).
~ Most of the Razorbacks' secondary was average to below average, as safety Jayden Johnson was the lone starter with a coverage grade above 70.0 (75.8).
Arkansas Defense PFF Grades - Oklahoma State
| Player, position | PFF Grade - Oklahoma State | Snaps vs Oklahoma State |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson Clark, S | 76.4 | 7 |
| Xavian Sorey Jr., LB | 75.2 | 64 |
| Jayden Johnson, S | 69.7 | 81 |
| Eric Gregory, DT | 68.3 | 63 |
| Landon Jackson, DE | 65.6 | 79 |
| Cam Ball, DT | 65.1 | 59 |
| Brad Spence, LB | 65.0 | 50 |
| Stephen Dix Jr., LB | 64.8 | 29 |
| Anton Juncaj, DE | 63.8 | 23 |
| Kee'yon Stewart, CB | 62.4 | 41 |
| Nico Davillier, DE | 62.2 | 60 |
| TJ Metcalf, S | 62.0 | 76 |
| Keivie Rose, DT | 61.9 | 40 |
| Anthony Switzer, LB | 61.5 | 34 |
| Jaylon Braxton, CB | 57.7 | 48 |
| Jaheim Singletary, CB | 54.3 | 73 |
| Doneiko Slaughter, NB | 53.9 | 64 |
TAKEAWAYS
1. Where's the pass-rush?
When Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson forwent the NFL Draft for another season in Fayetteville after the 2023 season, many fans thought they'd get the guy who shredded Alabama on a consistent basis.
It's still possible they get the dominant pass rusher who totaled 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, but his first two games in 2024 have left much to be desired. Across his first two games, Jackson has made three tackles and just one tackle for loss.
Part of the issue is the lack of pressure from anyone else on the Hogs' defensive line, as only one trench member recorded a hurry and none got home for a sack.
"I think what's happening with (Jackson), I think you're seeing that he's getting chipped a bunch," Pittman said. "This team slid to it a lot in pass protection, which means you basically are double teaming him. When they didn't, they were coming off and shipping him. So, until we somebody else sparks, you know, that people go, 'Man, I got to really worry about that guy,' they're going to continue to do that.
"Now T-Will can take some pressure off him with some internals and do some things like that. It's just like Oklahoma State with their kid. They were twisting him inside and all that, trying to get him away from that action, those doubles, those chips. We've done some of that with him as well. But he's played really good defense against the run. He just hasn't got to the quarterback yet, but I think that's coming."
2. Arkansas needs more from its corners
I know that Arkansas' defense dominated Oklahoma State in the first half, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement within the Razorbacks' secondary.
Starting cornerback Jaheim Singletary was consistently picked on, and although he did intercept Alan Bowman, he still struggled in coverage. Not only that, but defensive backs Doneiko Slaughter, Jaylon Braxton and TJ Metcalf all finished with a coverage grade below 65.0.
Perhaps a healthy Marquise Robinson or Hudson Clark keeps those guys fresh and leads to a more positive outcome, but 100% health won't always happen in SEC play.
3. Tackling makes a solid jump
Following Arkansas' Week 1 victory over UAPB, Pittman pointed out tackling as an area that had to improve against Oklahoma State.
The Razorbacks accomplished that for the most part, as there were only four players graded below a 65.0 (Kee'yon Stewart, Davillier, Singletary and Anthony Switzer).
Eight Hogs received 70.0+ grades and two eclipsed the 80.0+ mark, and the importance of continuing that trend entering SEC play cannot be understated.
Arkansas' next test will come against UAB and starting running back Lee Beebe Jr., who has 144 yards and two touchdowns this season on 29 carries (5.0 average).
