Arkansas Faces Quarterback and Secondary Questions in Spring Practice

New coach Ryan Silverfield looks to address passing game struggles and defensive backfield overhaul during Razorbacks' offseason workouts.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:22pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes and planes representing a college football field, players, and equipment, conveying the complex challenges facing the Arkansas Razorbacks as they work to improve their passing offense and defensive backfield.Arkansas' spring practice sessions reveal the challenges ahead as the Razorbacks look to rebuild their passing game and secondary under new coach Ryan Silverfield.Fayetteville Today

As Arkansas football enters a new era under head coach Ryan Silverfield, the team faces significant questions at quarterback and in the secondary during spring practice. Inconsistent passing from quarterbacks KJ Jackson and AJ Hill has raised concerns, while the Razorbacks' defensive backfield underwent a major overhaul with 16 new players joining veteran safety Miguel Mitchell.

Why it matters

Silverfield's success at Memphis was built on strong quarterback play, so addressing the passing game issues will be crucial. And after ranking among the worst pass defenses in college football, shoring up the secondary is a top priority for the Razorbacks to be competitive in the SEC.

The details

In practices, Arkansas' quarterbacks have been missing receivers with both overthrows and dropped passes, raising alarms. However, coaches remain confident that Jackson and Hill can maximize reps and improve before fall camp. On defense, the Razorbacks brought in several new faces to the secondary, including transfers Jahiem "Joker" Johnson, Christian Harrison, LaKhi Roland, and Shelton Lewis, to play alongside Mitchell. Secondary coach Deron Wilson is emphasizing communication and chemistry-building to avoid the "busted coverages" that plagued the unit last season.

  • Arkansas began spring practice in March 2026.
  • The Razorbacks will hold their annual spring game on April 15, 2026.

The players

Ryan Silverfield

The new head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, taking over a struggling program after six successful seasons at Memphis.

KJ Jackson

Arkansas' returning quarterback who has experience playing under former offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Miguel Mitchell

The veteran SEC safety who is the lone returning starter in the Razorbacks' revamped secondary.

Deron Wilson

Arkansas' new secondary coach, tasked with improving the team's pass defense.

Jahiem "Joker" Johnson

One of the highly touted transfer additions to the Razorbacks' secondary.

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What they’re saying

“KJ has got a unique skill set. Dude is very athletic, but he's very cerebral too. He's just a kind of a savvy ball player. You can tell he's been around a lot of ball, it kind of comes natural to him. Smooth thrower.”

— Stewart, Quarterbacks coach

“When you talk about the secondary, I believe it has to be one. Because the biggest thing from a secondary standpoint is you don't want to have DBs going palms up. Typically, palms up equals busted coverages. As a secondary, we're one, and initially we meet together. Make sure we get everything on the same page, in the same book. Then from there, they have certain things that safeties need to hear, and Coach Wilford would meet with the safeties, and there are certain things that corners need to hear.”

— Deron Wilson, Secondary coach

What’s next

The Razorbacks will hold their annual spring game on April 15, 2026, which will provide a better gauge of the team's progress under Silverfield and the development of the quarterback and secondary units.

The takeaway

Silverfield faces significant challenges in rebuilding Arkansas' passing game and defensive backfield, two areas that were major weaknesses for the Razorbacks last season. How quickly he can get those units on track will be crucial to the team's chances of improving in the SEC in 2026.