Predicting Arkansas’ defensive starters against Alabama A&M

We’re now nine days away from the first kickoff of the season for the Razorbacks, who take on Alabama A&M on Aug. 30 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The Hogs started fall camp on August 1 and have been practicing, for the most part, nonstop in preparation for the 2025 season.

Throughout fall camp, there have been several interesting developments. Some position battles have thrown what Week 1 might look like into flux.

HawgBeat was at every fall camp practice that was made available to the media, and with nine days left to go, we predict who we think will be the starters when the Hogs are called and the game starts.

Defensive end

Starters:Justus Boone, Quincy Rhodes Jr.
Backups:Phillip Lee, Charlie Collins, Kavion Henderson, Ken Talley, Frank Mulipola

The coaching staff likes what they have on the edges, and for all the talk about the depth of the defensive line this offseason, the edges aren’t really the issues.

Justus Boone has grown a lot from the spring until now and has locked up a starting spot. The Florida transfer was mostly a rotation guy last season, but it’s worth noting he was coming off an ACL injury. The season prior to that injury he racked up 24 tackles and a sack. If he can get back to that form, it’ll quell some worries about the Hogs’ trenches.

On the other side of the line, the staff has been grooming Quincy Rhodes Jr. for this moment. He played behind Landon Jackson last year, and it’s his time to step up. He had plenty of playing time last year with 12 appearances and one start, and now is the time for him to back up the talk that his teammates have given him.

Behind those guys, Charlie Collins bulked up and looks like he could push for a bigger role in 2025. Phillip Lee has come along well since arriving in Fayetteville over the summer, according to Sam Pittman, but he’ll be used more situationally than an every-down defensive end.

Defensive tackle

Starters:Cam Ball, Danny Saili
Backups:Ian Geffrard, Kevin Oatis, Reginald Vaughn, Kaleb James, Keyshawn Blackstock

This is where the depth gets scary. The reason David Oke isn’t on this list is because he sustained a knee injury and Pittman said he probably will miss the season opener. He could also miss Week 2 against Arkansas State.

That puts the Hogs in a precarious situation. Cam Ball is a bona fide starter. There’s no doubt about that. But how effective can a guy like Ian Geffrard be as an every-down guy? That’s why I think they roll with Danny Saili. He’s lost a ton of weight and has improved a lot since he got here last year.

Behind those guys, it’s pretty much true freshmen and third-year depth piece Kaleb James. There’s also Keyshawn Blackstock, who moved from the offensive line to defensive tackle recently. That will probably be enough for Week 1, but as the schedule gets more difficult, it could cause problems for the Razorbacks.

Linebacker

Starters:Stephen Dix Jr., Xavian Sorey Jr.
Backups:Bradley Shaw, Andrew Harris, Tavion Wallace, Trent Whalen

The linebacker room is full of veterans, both as the starters and in the depth. Between Stephen Dix Jr., Xavian Sorey Jr. and Trent Whalen there are a combined 120 games played. That doesn’t factor in guys like Bradley Shaw, Andrew Harris and Tavion Wallace who are expected to play a big role this season.

It’s worth noting Sorey has dealt with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but that shouldn’t hinder him from starting the first game of the season. Dix has been the quarterback of the defense through spring and fall camp and is a shoe-in at starter as well.

There is a scenario where the Hogs open up the game in a three-linebacker package. Travis Williams utilized a 3-2-6 package in fastball the last couple days of camp, and we know he’s got the 3-3-5 in his bag from the Tennessee game last year.

If that’s the case, expect Shaw to be the guy that steps up there.

Cornerback

Starters: Selman Bridges, Jaheim Singletary
Backups: Kani Walker, Keshawn Davila, Nigel Pringle, Julian Neal

There’s some fluidity in the cornerback room through fall camp, so this one is a little tougher to predict.

The Hogs have plenty of options and rotated Selman Bridges, Jaheim Singletary, Kani Walker, Keshawn Davila and Julian Neal at corner during the portion of practice we were able to see, but as the days rolled on Bridges and Singletary consistently ran with the first team in fastball period.

That, coupled with the fact that I think they’re going to roll with experience for Week 1, leads me to say it’ll be Bridges and Singletary out with the starters.

The recurring theme with the secondary has been depth. There’s a lot of options to rotate here, and if the game is what it’s supposed to be — a blowout — all of these guys will get some good run.

Safety

Starters: Caleb Wooden, Larry Worth
Backups: Quentavius Scandrett, Ahkhari Johnson, Miguel Mitchell

You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a reason to keep Larry Worth III off the field, and Caleb Wooden brings a lot of SEC experience with him. Miguel Mitchell also has a chance to break into the fold, and I think he could end up being a major factor, too.

Since this is just a Week 1 projection, and there’s a lot of pieces in the Arkansas secondary to use, guys like Quentavius Scandrett, Mitchell and even possibly Ahkhari Johnson will get plenty of run in what should be a blowout win over the Bulldogs.

Hog

Starter:Jordan Young
Backups:Shakur Smalls, J.J. Shelton

In nearly every practice the media was able to view, Cincinnati transfer Jordan Young ran with the first team at the Hog position, which is a safety-linebacker hybrid spot.

Shakur Smalls, a post-spring transfer from Maine, also showed flashes during fall camp as well and the staff is impressed with him.

“A guy that can pick up the system,” Defensive coordinator Travis Williams said Monday. “A guy that’s very physical. He’s quiet, but when he’s out on the football field you can feel his presence. He doesn’t say a lot but I really like his progress. He can get guys lined up. So he’s been a great addition for us.”

Arkansas recruited J.J. Shelton as a linebacker, but he’s practiced at the Hog since back in the spring and made some eyebrow-raising plays in what we’ve been able to see of him.