Hometown Eats | Tontitown Trifecta
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To say the least, Arkansas’ pass coverage and run support from the secondary have been poor in recent years. That’s no secret.
Razorback head coach Ryan Silverfield and his defensive coordinator, Ron Roberts, opted for a fresh approach going into the 2026 season.
They cleared the decks in the secondary, letting all returners except for one search for greener pastures through the transfer portal.
Who was the lone returnee?
That would be 6-2, 219-pound senior Miguel Mitchell, Kemosabe. Sorry for the Lone Ranger reference, but the former Florida transfer was surrounded by 15 new players in the secondary in the spring.
While some of those transfers are veterans, Mitchell was the only Hog among them who knew his way around campus last January.
Mitchell played in all 12 games last year, starting three. He had 52 tackles last year, with one for a loss and one for a sack. He also broke up a pass and had an interception. He will be pushed by Stoutmire, a senior transfer from Colorado who started seven games for the Buffaloes last year.
In Roberts’ defense, they are going to play the rover spot, or Star as Roberts likes to call it. They will be involved in run support as well as coverage. They will likely have the opportunity to rush the passer from the spot as well.
The Hogs’ defense will be similar to the alignment Keith Burns used as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator in 1998-99, although with some differences.
If your memory goes back that far, think of the role Zac Painter played in the Hogs’ secondary as a prototype for the position Mitchell will play. Burns played a similar role during his playing days in the early 1980s for defensive coordinator Don Lindsey under head coach Lou Holtz.
Christian Harrison, a senior transfer from Cincinnati, is in the hunt for a starting spot at safety. He started 12 games in 2025 with 66 tackles, an interception and seven pass breakups.
Senior West Georgia transfer Kyeaure Magloire brings a wealth of experience as a multi-year starter.
Behind Harrison and Magloire are a lot of young players who may see time to see if they will bite as pups.
Derron Wilson, who coached the Hogs’ secondary in 2023 and ’24, joined the staff as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He’s assisted by Eddie Hicks with the cornerbacks and C.J. Williford with the safeties.
Tulane transfer Jaheim “Joker” Johnson is a junior competing for a starting role at cornerback. He made four interceptions for Tulane and is considered one of the better transfer portal additions to Arkansas’ roster.
La’khai Roland, a transfer from Maryland, has his hands in the mix at the other starting corner spot. He was a part-time starter for the Terrapins and picked off four passes last season.
Clemson transfer Shelton Lewis, junior college transfer D.J. Hairston and Maryland transfer Braydon Leen should also push for playing time this season.
There is some depth at cornerback, but the Hogs need to stay healthy at safety this season.
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