FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is molding together a young, but very talented secondary since defensive back coaches Marcus Woodson and Deron Wilson took over the room.
Jaylon Braxton is one of a handful of difference makers already on the roster. The freshman made the most of his opportunities in 2023 playing in nine games recording 20 total tackles, eight pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and a defensive touchdown.
Braxton was the top signee for the Razorbacks during the 2023 recruiting cycle and made his presence known from the jump leading all freshmen defenders in tackles. If he develops over the offseason like the jump he made throughout the season, Braxton will turn heads around the SEC.
“You can count on [Braxton],” Pittman said in late September. “You can tell the game is important to him. He’s come a long way. He came in ready, he’s a grown young man. He’s doing some really good things and he’ll continue to get better as time goes on.”
Former Georgia transfer and top 20 prospect Jaheim Singletary was the second leading freshmen tackler on defense last season and did show promise for future seasons. The 6-2, 190-pounder recorded 17 tackles on the season and four pass breakups. Prior to the season, Woodson was very high on the cornerback being able to see the field early.
“Obviously being at Georgia he was able to be around some good coaches and in a good culture,” Woodson said. “He’s still young, but he’s a smart player that retains information. He takes the meeting to the field. And that’s what gives himself a chance.”
Even though Singletary was beaten on coverage throughout the season, it’s important that he is willing to learn and develop in a system that helped the Razorbacks improve from one of the worst secondary units in college football in 2022 into a top 50 unit in 2023.
