FAYETTEVILLE — Less than two quarters into Arkansas’ 2017 season opener against Florida A&M in Little Rock, 187-pound true freshman cornerback Kamren Curl found himself learning on the fly.
As he prepares to enter his junior season, the now 6-2, 204-pound safety feels much more prepared to take on what’s in front of him.
“I feel like I’m a lot better because you get thrown into that situation, you have to grow up or you’re going to lose your spot,” Curl said. “So that’s what I had to do - grow up.”
His maturation continued through his sophomore season, one that ended early for him when he was suspended for the season finale against Missouri.
“Yeah, I’m maturing because I have to lead guys and they’re looking for me to be one of the leaders of the defense,” Curl said, “so I feel like I’ve matured a lot, really, to help the young guys out.
“…It’s really crazy I’m an upperclassmen. It feels like I just came in in the summer, but then again, it feels like I ain’t played football in a long time.”
Curl, who has started 23 of his 24 career games, admits he has tried to take on a leadership role.
“I feel like I’ve taken it on pretty good because I lead the guys,” Curl said. “I try to lead the guys by example and vocally because they’re going to come to me and ask questions, so I have to be on top of my game. That’s helped me become a better player.”
Curl, who had 53 tackles last season, is the most experienced member of a young Arkansas secondary that will likely start three sophomores in safety Joe Foucha and cornerbacks Montaric Brown and Jarques McClellion.
He believes it is a group that is more ready to play than last season’s secondary.
“There has been a lot of of progress, little things and big things,” Curl said. “The young guys knowing more checks and them carrying out the check. Coach is happy with that because it is just making it seem like we are moving faster than we should.”
There are a lot less missed assignments to this point, according to Curl.
“We are a lot better,” Curl said. “Not just that, but we are more in-depth with the defense and making more checks and stuff. That is showing how much progress we have made.”
Foucha played 141 snaps on defense last season.
“Joe has made a big step from last year,” Curl said. “He had to make a big step because he is going to be starting. He made a big step on the field and off the field. He carries himself better.”
McCellion started nine games last season and Brown started the final three.
“I think a lot of them,” Curl said. “I feel like they are going to have a great season. They came in to work - Buster, 'Quez and all the young guys. Like Buster, he got moved to corner from safety and he didn’t know a lot, but this year he knows everything and can make every check on the defense.”
Brown has made the biggest transition and is earning praise from secondary coach Ron Cooper.
“He has improved a lot,” Curl said. “He is just a playmaker, really. Last year, every time he would make a play on film, Coach Coop would say something about how bad he was, but he has made a huge step. It’s the extra work he has put in and the technique has made a really big step.”
It appears true freshman Jalen Catalon will see significant action at safety.
“He’s improved a lot,” Curl said. “He’s got great instincts. He’s going to be around the ball every play and I feel like he’s improved a lot, especially in the playbook.”
Curl has become someone who enjoys watching film.
“If it’s not here, I got it on my phone and iPad and I watch it,” Curl said. “I was just watching some Portland State last night. If I get bored, I get on the app and just watch practice or stuff on teams we play this year.
He has been looking at Portland State quite a bit.
“They have a lot of formations," he said. "I’ve seen they like empty, a lot of tight ends sets. We have to play with our eyes.”