We continue HawgBeat's series of analyzing Arkansas' games through the lens of Pro Football Focus after the Razorbacks' 37-27 win over UAB in Fayetteville.
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 the grades on the defensive side of the ball from the UAB game...
Team Grades
~Overall: 80.9
~Defense: 63.0
~Run defense: 73.3
~Tackling: 53.3
~Pass rush: 63.0
~Coverage: 52.3
Notes
~ Despite having the fourth-worst tackling grade on the defense (33.9), Eric Gregory finished second on the team in overall grade due to a solid showing in run defense (73.4).
~ Speaking of poor tackling, Arkansas had four players with a sub 35.0 grade in Gregory, Cam Ball (29.0), Anton Juncaj (25.0) and Doneiko Slaughter (33.7).
~ Brad Spence (34.1) and Slaughter (36.9) struggled mightily in coverage, but Jayden Johnson showed some improvement in the area (66.4).
~ Only one player finished with a pass rush grade above 70.0, as Landon Jackson had a 79.6. Xavian Sorey Jr. (64.9) and Spence (69.6) were next up.
~ For the most part, the Razorbacks were good in run defense across the board. 12 players graded higher than 60.0 with four above 70.0 and one above 80.0. Defensive tackles Keivie Rose (53.0) and Ball (51.3) struggled, however, which is worrisome.
Arkansas Defense PFF Grades - UAB
| Player, position | PFF Grade - UAB | Snaps vs UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Landon Jackson, DE | 89.8 | 65 |
| Eric Gregory, DT | 70.9 | 47 |
| Nico Davillier, DE | 68.7 | 45 |
| Xavian Sorey Jr., LB | 68.7 | 58 |
| Kee'yon Stewart, CB | 68.7 | 31 |
| Stephen Dix Jr., LB | 67.9 | 34 |
| Jayden Johnson, S | 67.5 | 51 |
| Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE | 65.3 | 7 |
| Marquise Robinson, CB | 62.8 | 72 |
| Ian Geffrard, DT | 60.5 | 6 |
| Larry Worth, S | 58.3 | 20 |
| Anthony Switzer, LB | 58.1 | 32 |
| TJ Metcalf, S | 55.9 | 72 |
| Cam Ball, DT | 54.8 | 54 |
| Keivie Rose, DT | 54.7 | 36 |
| Jaheim Singletary, CB | 53.6 | 41 |
| Anton Juncaj, DE | 47.1 | 28 |
| Doneiko Slaughter, NB | 43.3 | 58 |
| Brad Spence, LB | 38.1 | 35 |
TAKEAWAYS
1. Landon Jackson finally emerges
After failing to move the needle much in his first two games against UAPB and Oklahoma State, Jackson finally looked like the guy everyone expects to be a future NFL Draft pick.
Versus the Blazers, Jackson accumulated five total tackles with two defended passes (including a tipped pass that led to a game-sealing interception) and he ended the day as the Hogs' highest-graded pass-rush member (79.6).
Assuming Auburn — Arkansas' next opponent — rolls out redshirt freshman quarterback Hank Brown next week, Jackson must find a way to make things hard on the inexperienced signal caller.
2. Arkansas has work to do at nickel
Time and time again Saturday, UAB purposely targeted Slaughter in the secondary. His poor play is evident from the PFF grades, as he had the worst coverage grade of any secondary member (34.1) and was subpar in every other area besides pass rush (69.6).
Will Arkansas look at someone else to step up at the position? Versatile defensive back Hudson Clark could likely fill in, but his injury return timetable is murky at best. Larry Worth III practiced at the "HOG" position in fall camp, but he's been playing the safety position in recent matchups.
In any case, the Razorbacks have to find a way to do better at nickel or they'll be shredded against more talented wide receiver units.
3. Two areas to watch vs Auburn...
...are tackling and coverage.
To be completely fair to Arkansas, the team tackling grade (53.3) is heavily swayed by four players, as seven others ended their days with tackling grades above 70.0 and one was above 80.0 (Stephen Dix Jr., 81.6).
Still, tackling hasn't been a strong suit for the Hogs through three games, and it'll only get tougher against an Auburn team that has a shifty player like running back Jarquez Hunter Sr.
As for coverage, the emergence of Jackson and the rest of the pass rush may play a factor. But if not, Arkansas' cornerbacks and safeties have to hold up better against the Tigers. There's a problem when your highest coverage grade comes from a defensive end (Nico Davillier, 71.2)
