The list of great defensive backs in the history of Arkansas football is extensive. It’s also about to get a little bit longer.
Arkansas cornerback Jaylon Braxton enters his sophomore year with the Razorbacks as the unquestioned best player in the defensive backfield. And that’s no slight to the rest of the Arkansas secondary. Braxton is just that good.
The Frisco, Texas, native had every opportunity to get a job early in the year as the Razorbacks’ 2022 pass defense was so bad, Arkansas made the spots an open competition. He took advantage, ultimately finishing with 21 tackles, eight pass break-ups and an interception. Such numbers ensured he enters 2024 as a starter.
“He’s a really good player. We knew he was,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “It’s just going to be real exciting to see him grow, but what he does, he makes plays just like the Florida game. He makes plays. He’s a ballhawk.”
Braxton’s development turned Arkansas from a pass defense ranked dead last in FBS in 2022 to 32nd in 2023. The unit lost only two players – Dwight McGlothern and Al Walcott – from last year’s bunch, too. Braxton believes they can take another step forward.
“Now the game knowledge has slowed down tremendously for me and I’m just out there playing comfortable and having fun,” Braxton said “I’ve just got a lot more confidence going into Year 2 than I had my freshman year.”