Larry Worth proving his versatility is an asset for the Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE — Larry Worth III transferred to Arkansas from Jacksonville State prior to last season.

‘Worth played both linebacker and safety. In his first season with the Razorbacks, Worth had 53 tackles, 29 solo, 0.5 sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. Spring drills are in the early stages with two practices in the books.

“It’s going great,” Worth said. “Just like Fernando (Carmona) just said, it’s the spring time so we’re doing a lot of learning right now. These are the times we can get our rough patches out of the way and just learn from these mistakes.”

Worth, 6-4, 225, is currently running with the first unit at boundary safety. Worth was asked if safety is his best spot?

“I would just say, wherever they put me, that’s going to be my best spot, for one,” Worth said. “And, I would just say just being comfortable, being in the system year two compared to year one, so everything is starting to slow down for me. I’m just out there having fun now at this point.

“I’m focused on any position they put me at. I’m going to be the best at that position.”

At the time Worth transferred to Arkansas so did safety Miguel Mitchell from Florida. At this time, Mitchell is working first team at the field safety opposite Worth.

“I would say we’re definitely ahead of schedule just off me and Miguel playing a little bit, starting with each other at the end of last season,” Worth said. “So just bringing that chemistry we had last year and building on that, we’re definitely ahead of schedule and great things coming.

“We both can do everything. If you need a ball player that can go play in the middle of the field, somebody that can come down and hit, cover tight ends, cover a receiver, we both can do everything. So just being able to move both of us around is very versatile.”

Two safeties that transferred to Arkansas in January are Eastern Michigan’s Quentavius Scandrett and Auburn’s Caleb Wooden.

“I would say just after one practice, they have showed tremendous growth and they are both very good back there,” Worth said. “They look very comfortable already, more comfortable than I did coming in, I would say that for sure. So, they look very well and I’m expecting big things from both of those guys.”

With Wooden coming in from Auburn thus having previous SEC experience does Worth see that as a plus?

“That’s super valuable because it’s different playing in this conference,” Worth said. “For somebody to already have experience, so he can already kind of relate to what we about to go through, he already knows. But, Q, even though he doesn’t have any SEC experience, he has experience as well. So, I’m not doubting him at all. I know he’ll come in and perform.”

Keshawn Davila came from junior college and Kani Walker from Oklahoma. Both are cornerbacks who have impressed Worth.

“They’ve brought some very good presence on the outside,” Worth said. “They both can play a lot of good man coverage. We wanted to bring in some more speed, and those guys are really, they’re blazing, for sure, for sure. So they brought that into the room, and I can’t wait to see these boys perform.”

Worth knowing this is his final spring talked about how he’s approaching it.

“One thing I would definitely say I approach differently is have fun in every moment that I’m in and just soak everything up,” Worth said. “I don’t know how many more meetings I’m going to get with you guys. Just having fun in everything that I do. And I would just say spreading information to the younger guys and letting them know how fast this time does come.”

One change for Worth is going from wearing jersey number 30 he is 3 this season. He talked about why the change.

“Yessir, I had this number previously before I came here at Jacksonville State, and I had my best year in three,” Worth said. “Also I’m the third, I’m Larry Worth the Third, so that’s the reason that I’ve always been like three. So just coming back, going back to my roots.”

Worth and the Razorbacks will play the spring game on Saturday, April 19, with it set to begin at 1 p.m.