Razorbacks Roundtable: Secondary

Arkansas vs Auburn Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.

Q: Kam Curl, by all accounts, had a strong spring. Can he carry that throughout the 2019 season?

Clay Henry: I don't worry about Curl. He's got all the tools and is a good tackler. He's got the best frame of the safeties in several seasons. I just worry about the guy behind him - and I can't tell you who it's going to be - because safeties tend to get their shoulders destroyed in an SEC season.

Dudley Dawson: Curl looks bigger and in fantastic shape. He looks like a fully grown man now and is and I think this is the season he establishes himself as one of the best in the SEC. He was thrown into the fire as a freshman with mixed results. That pays big dividends as he enters his junior season.

Tom Murphy: He should be able to play faster, he just needs to be a more sure tackler. There's a lot of leadership weight on his shoulders.

Scottie Bordelon: I think he can. I remember Chad Morris really giving Curl a lot of credit this spring for his buy-in and leadership on top of his play. He is the guy in the defensive backfield this season, in my opinion. His experience and talent lead to a big year.

Seth Campbell: Curl is one of the most experienced players in the secondary for the Hogs. The thing that hindered him last year was defending the pass. If he can stay with receivers better I believe he can be an improved player.

Q: Joe Foucha said this spring he believes he is going to have a breakout year. How do you think he performs as one of the fairly new guys?

Clay Henry: John Chavis loves Joe Foucha. By all accounts, Foucha was a turnover machine this spring. That's all well and good. But what he's got to show is that he can be a consistent tackler. You don't win games if safeties can't tackle. That's going to be a big key for this defense.

Dudley Dawson: Foucha has a wealth of confidence and talent. He flashed at times last season. I see him making a big push this year now that the analysis paralysis you have as a rookie will be gone.

Tom Murphy: He's got a natural hitter's instinct about him, and there hasn't been a lot of that in the secondary for a while. Like Curl, he has to take good angles and be a solid tackler. A leaky back end could sabotage the expected improvements in the front 7.

Scottie Bordelon: I am also a believer in Joe Foucha. I like that he carries himself with confidence and swagger. Arkansas could use a lot more of that defensively. He got his feet wet toward the end of the 2018 season, and I expect him to have his ups and downs throughout the year, but, overall, have a solid season.

Seth Campbell: He may be fairly new, but when 10 out of 20 players in the defensive backs group are freshmen or redshirt freshmen even a little bit of experience will help. I think he has a great skillset and will be able to breakout this year.

Q: Who is the impact freshman in this group?

Clay Henry: If Jalen Catalon wasn't coming off ACL surgery, there is little question it would be him. I'll still start with him. He may be the missing ingredient and that nickel back that Chavis always had at LSU - like the Honey Badger. That's the hope anyway.

Dudley Dawson: One of those three freshmen. I guess I will take Devin Bush, but they all have such talent and are going to play - a lot.

Tom Murphy: I believe the coaches think Devin Bush, Greg Brooks and Jalen Catalon all have a chance to be in the rotation, and let's not forget redshirt LaDarrius Bishop, one of the plums of the 2018 signing class.

Scottie Bordelon: Jalen Catalon could find himself on the field a lot if the more-established safeties or nickels don't bring it. Chad Morris earlier this year said Catalon was one of the top five high school football players he's ever seen, so that is definitely intriguing. If all is well with his knee, which he injured early in his senior season, then I see him backing up a bit of the hype.

Seth Campbell: Lots of eyes will be on Devin Bush at the cornerback position this fall, but I'm going with Jalen Catalon. A four-star recruit from Mansfield, Texas, who lettered in football, baseball and basketball, Catalon can be a difference maker at the safety position. He is coming off an injury that he suffered during his senior season, but if the game can slow down for him then I believe he'll stand out this year.

Q: Only 5 interceptions for Arkansas' defense last season - 2 from Dre Greenlaw and 3 from Ryan Pulley. Who leads the way in this category at season's end?

Clay Henry: I believe it's going to be Buster Brown. He was involved in a lot of big plays in the spring. Coaches were pleased with the way he stepped up in press coverage and the way he jumped routes without giving up the big plays.

Dudley Dawson: While tempted to take De'Jon Harris, I'm going with Kam Curl.

Tom Murphy: I'll go with Buster Brown at 3, Jarques McClellion 2 and another four spread around the secondary.

Scottie Bordelon: I'm going with Jarques McClellion. I think he makes the most of his chances when quarterbacks throw his way, picks off 2-3 balls and leads the team in pass breakups.

Seth Campbell: Joe Foucha. Foucha said this spring he's going to have a breakout year and I believe him. He will get a multitude of reps this year if he can stay healthy, so I'll go with the free safety.