HawgBeat - Way-too-early Arkansas football projected spring depth chart - Defense
HawgBeat puts together a too early projection of the spring football defensive depth chart for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
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After a very busy transfer portal season for head coach Sam Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks, the dust has settled and it is time to look ahead to spring football. While there are still positions of need for the Hogs, they will have to wait until after the spring semester to address those.
As of now, HawgBeat has the Hogs sitting with 84 scholarship players for the projected 2024 roster, which includes all transfer and freshmen signees.
Here is a too early look at how HawgBeat projects the defensive depth chart to look for spring football. We have a three-deep projection at each position, notes/tidbits on some decisions made and a post-spring starter prediction.
Note: HawgBeat's projected depth chart is not a player power ranking, but our best guess at what the Hogs will do to open up spring practice. Arkansas has not typically immediately started newcomers during Pittman's tenure.
Defensive Line:
Arkansas' Projected Spring Depth Chart - DL
| Position | First Team | Second Team | Third Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive End | Landon Jackson | Nico Davillier | Quincy Rhodes Jr. |
| Defensive Tackle | Eric Gregory | Keivie Rose | JJ Hollingsworth |
| Defensive Tackle | Cameron Ball | Ian Geffrard | Kaleb James |
| Defensive End | Anton Juncaj | Charleston Collins | Kavion Henderson |
The starting defensive line is pretty much set at this point, especially with Landon Jackson anchoring the edge. Super senior Eric Gregory and Redshirt junior Cameron Ball are primed for breakout seasons in 2024, and Albany pass rusher transfer Anton Juncaj put up an impressive 55 total tackle, 21.5 tackle for loss, 15 sack, five forced fumble stat line for the Great Danes last season.
Rose adds solid depth on the second team and Geffrard has the size to bulldoze any offensive lineman in the country if he can put everything together. Davillier has showed promise in his limited playing time while Collins and Henderson are coming in with high expectations as four-star prospects.
Post-spring starter prediction: Landon Jackson, Eric Gregory, Cameron Ball, Anton Juncaj
Linebacker:
Arkansas' Projected Spring Depth Chart - LB
| Position | First Team | Second Team | Third Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILL | Brad Spence | Alex Sanford | Bradley Shaw |
| MIKE | Xavian Sorey Jr. | Carson Dean | Wyatt Simmons |
There's work to be done here for defensive coordinator Travis Williams following the departures of starting linebackers Chris Paul Jr. and Jaheim Thomas.
Sorey provides a nice boost from Georgia but is still a tad unproven. Spence is another player that has flashed at times but might be a year away from major playing time. This is certainly a position that will need to be addressed in the spring transfer portal window and I expect that it will.
Post-spring starter prediction: Brad Spence, Xavian Sorey Jr.
Cornerback:
Arkansas' Projected Spring Depth Chart - CB
| Position | First Team | Second Team | Third Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerback | Jaheim Singletary | Marquise Robinson | Selman Bridges |
| Cornerback | Jaylon Braxton | Kee'yon Stewart | Jaden Allen |
| Nickel | Lorando Johnson | TJ Metcalf | Dallas Young |
The Hogs have a stud in returning sophomore Jaylon Braxton and a reliable, physical contributor with Lorando "Snaxx" Johnson. Singletary didn't have the season he hoped for last year but was rated a five-star prospect out of high school for a reason.
Either way, I expect South Alabama transfer Marquise Robinson to earn a starting role with his solid 6-foot-1, 184-pound stature. The senior recorded 36 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended and three interceptions for the Jaguars in 2023.
Incoming four-star freshman Selman Bridges could also challenge for a starting spot, but he'll have work to do with his lack of collegiate experience.
Post-spring starters prediction: Marquise Robinson, Jaylon Braxton, Lorando Johnson
Safety:
Arkansas' Projected Spring Depth Chart - S
| Position | First Team | Second Team | Third Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Hudson Clark | Miguel Mitchell | Dylan Hasz |
| Safety | Jayden Johnson | Doneiko Slaughter | RJ Johnson |
The versatile Hudson Clark is set to return for another season in Fayetteville and is expected to play a significant number of snaps for the Hogs next season. Florida transfer Miguel Mitchell will serve as an important depth piece, especially with his 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker frame.
Though I believe returning senior Jayden Johnson will get the initial nod, Tennesse transfer Doneiko Slaughter will be on his heels for the starting position. If Slaughter can't crack the rotation at safety, he's versatile enough to move to nickel if needed.
Post-spring starter prediction: Hudson Clark, Doneiko Slaughter
