Arkansas football in position for sustainable rebuild in 2020

Barry Odom will develop defense slowly but surely

Defensively, the Razorbacks were ranked as the worst unit in the SEC and among the worst of all Power Five teams in 2019. This was a defense that had talented playmakers that had significant NFL-caliber talent, but they could not be utilized.

The defense ranked last in the SEC in every major category except for against the pass. In 2019, they finished ranked 124th in the nation in points allowed per game (36.8), rushing yards allowed per game (221.5) and total yards allowed per game (450.7).

Arkansas hired former Missouri head coach Barry Odom to be the defensive coordinator. His first stint as defensive coordinator was with Memphis from 2012-14. It took time for Odom to develop the Tigers’ defense but in 2014, they were ranked fifth in the nation in points allowed (17.1) and 22nd in yards allowed (343.3).

In 2015, he was back at Missouri as the defensive coordinator to turn under the direction of Gary Pinkel. In one season, his defense ranked seventh in the nation in points allowed (16.2) and seventh in passing yards allowed (169.2).

Now back at his natural defensive coordinator position, Odom is tasked to transforming a defense that has potential but has been under established in development and efficiency.

The defensive line was one of the most inefficient units on this side of the ball due to poor coaching. Arkansas only created pressure or havoc on a rate of 13.42 percent against opposing offenses in the backfield, which was the lowest-ranked in the SEC.

Only one starter on the defensive line returns in Mataio Soli. Last season as a true freshman, Soli accounted for 19 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Weak-side defensive end Xavier Kelly has been granted immediate eligibility while transferring from Clemson. Jonathan Marshall looks to start at the defensive tackle after contributing as a role player.

At the linebacker position, the Razorbacks have the potential to succeed even with middle linebacker De’Jon Harris departing. Junior Bumper Pool will be the next star defensive playmaker after starting all 12 games last season. He had 94 total tackles (second on team), 6.5 tackles for loss and five pass deflections (team-high).

The Razorbacks are expected to start former backups in Deon Edwards and Grant Morgan at the other linebacker positions. Pool could be utilized more at the middle linebacker to properly assert his talents and potential.

In the nickel packages where the Razorbacks use five defensive backs, they return four starters. All of the projected starters are young but have some experience as they were forced into playing time to make up for the lack of efficient playmaking veterans.

Joe Foucha returns as the starting free safety after starting 12 games from last season while accounting for 87 total tackles and four pass deflections. Cornerback Jarques McClellion has played in 24 games while starting in 20 of them and fellow corner Montaric Brown has played in 21 games while starting in 13 of them.

Odom has a long way to go to make the Razorbacks’ secondary more efficient and productive to make the impact of the linebackers.