Arkansas Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER15: Devwah Whaley #21 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Razorback Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 34-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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AUBURN, AL – OCTOBER 22: Ryan Pulley #11 of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts after dropping an interception against the Auburn Tigers in the first quarter of the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Arkansas’ passing defense ranked 58th in the country last season, which shouldn’t be that big of a shock seeing as the SEC isn’t known for its prolific aerial attacks. One consistent contributor in the secondary for the Razorbacks was Ryan Pulley, a sophomore in 2016.

However, he never really got the attention he deserved for the season he had. With the solid cornerbacks riddled across the SEC, Pulley can go unnoticed easily. He did, however, finish fifth on the team with 47 total tackles and he had two interceptions and a team-high 12 pass deflections.

The Razorbacks return three starters to the secondary which means that Arkansas will have an even better pass defense in 2017 and Pulley could be the best of the bunch.

Senior safety Josh Liddell may get most of the attention in the defensive backfield but don’t sleep on Pulley. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound cornerback could have a stellar junior season and cement himself on first or second-team All-SEC. When it happens, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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