Arkansas’ secondary, TJ Metcalf, draws praise

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ secondary was part of a defense that shut out UAPB on Thursday night in the season opener.

The starting cornerbacks were Jaylen Braxton and Marquise Robinson. The safeties were TJ Metcalf and Jayden Johnson with Doneiko Slaughter at the Hog. Pittman was asked if there will be any changes at cornerback with Jaheim Singletary, Kee’yon Stewart and Selman Bridges in the mix.

“I don’t know that we’re changing where we were,” Pittman said. “Obviously, Stewart is in a battle there with Cuddie. Snoop played with the threes when we got in there and he had a nice man-to-man coverage there on a post route. I don’t know. I think we feel better about corner with Singletary, so we’ll see. But I imagine we’ll start the same guys we did last week. I do like our depth there, though.”

Pittman also talked about the safeties heaping extra praise on Metcalf and knowing they will need to play well against Oklahoma State.

“Very important because they’re going to have to make some tackles as well, but they’re going to have to play pass defense, you know,” Pittman said. “So, again, their skill is really, really good. They cause you problems in a lot of spots. I like TJ Metcalf. I think he’s just continuing to get better. Jayden Johnson, I felt like he played well. The rotation there, Slaughter is a guy we can certainly count on, a good player. And then [Hudson Clark] can play several spots there. But I was pleased with our safeties, but I think if there’s a guy sticking out right now, it’s Metcalf.”

Travis Williams, the defensive coordinator, was on the sideline in the opener as was Bobby Petrino, the offensive coordinator.

“Well, he asked if he could go down there, you know, and with the new technology and he can see what’s going on,” Pittman said. “And I think he’s more comfortable with it and he’s got good energy, you know. So, I think he want to bring that on the sidelines and, obviously, it was just one game and all that, but it all worked out well. And I think he’s going to do the same this weekend as well.”

The Hogs and Oklahoma State will kickoff at 11 a.m. on Saturday and televised on ABC.