Razorbacks football revamps porous secondary with standout Group of Five DB

As Arkansas continues its aggressive overhaul of the roster through the transfer portal, one of its most important additions may have come on the defensive side of the ball. Tulane defensive back Jahiem Johnson is heading to Fayetteville, giving the Razorbacks a proven playmaker as they look to completely revamp a secondary that struggled mightily a season ago.

Jahiem Johnson: Tulane's Lockdown Corner

Johnson arrives with two years of eligibility remaining and fresh off a standout campaign at Tulane. In 2025 alone, he totaled 42 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 9 pass breakups, production that immediately jumps off the stat sheet. Those numbers tell the story of a defensive back who is consistently around the football, whether it’s attacking passing lanes, creating turnovers, or stepping up to make tackles in space.

The timing of Johnson’s arrival could not be more important. Arkansas lost all of its starting defensive backs either to the transfer portal or to expiring eligibility, ensuring that the secondary was going to look drastically different no matter what. Given how the Razorbacks performed against the pass last season, that change may actually be a positive.

Arkansas allowed 239.3 passing yards per game, a figure that placed them in the bottom third of the SEC, while also surrendering 33.8 points per game, the eighth-worst mark in the entire FBS. Simply put, the Razorbacks struggled to slow opposing offenses through the air, and it cost them on a weekly basis.

That’s why a player like Johnson matters so much and will have a huge impact for this team going into 2026.

While he’s coming from the Group of Five level, the transition should be manageable. Johnson was coached by Jon Sumrall, widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football and now on staff with the Florida Gators as their new head coach. The foundation is already there. The instincts, technique, and understanding of coverage concepts are evident on film, and the production backs it up. Now its time to see it all compete and translate into the SEC.

What Johnson Brings to Arkansas’ Rebuilt Secondary

The most exciting numbers for Arkansas fans are obvious: four interceptions and nine pass breakups. That’s the profile of a true ballhawk, someone who doesn’t just cover receivers, but actively disrupts plays. Johnson has a knack for tracking the football, closing quickly, and finishing at the catch point. Those are traits Arkansas has desperately lacked in recent seasons.

Equally important, Johnson brings physicality. He’s a willing tackler, which shows in his high tackle numbers for corner, who doesn’t shy away from contact. This is an essential quality in the SEC where defensive backs are constantly tested by physical receivers and downhill running games. That toughness will be welcomed in a Razorback defense that faces bruising offenses week after week.

This signing may end up being one of Arkansas’ most impactful portal additions, depending on who you ask. For a defense that sorely lacked consistency, confidence, and playmaking ability, Johnson represents a step in the right direction, and potentially a big one. New DC Ron Roberts should be excited to get his hands on a talent like Johnson.

Under Silverfield, Arkansas continues to add players who fit a clear vision: athletic, productive, and competitive. There’s an emphasis on stacking real talent rather than patching holes with short-term fixes. Bringing in Jahiem Johnson shows that commitment, and it sends a strong signal that the Razorbacks are serious about fixing what went wrong and getting back to competing sooner rather than later.

If Johnson’s Tulane production carries over, Arkansas may have found a cornerstone piece in its rebuilt secondary, and one that could change the trajectory of the defense in a big way.