Samy Johnson arrived to Jonesboro in 2019 a celebrated running back from Little Rock Catholic High School. Coach Blake Anderson, in greater need for speed at defensive back than at running back, reassigned the former Rocket to cornerback, and there Samy, a true Arkansas State Man™, stayed for four years, became one of the few Anderson holdovers to remain in Butch Jones’ two-deep and steadily acquired the new skills to become a reliable pass defender.

Samy has moved on to greater and bigger things, leaving defensive coordinator Rob Harley to work with a cadre of safeties a corners that isn’t lacking in depth and potential, but also unknowns. It is comforting to know, however, that Arkansas State is no longer converting running backs to corners.

The Departures: Samy Johnson, Donte Thompson, Taylon Doss, Eddie Smith, Davon Martin and Leon Jones

Of this crew, Johnson, Eddie Smith and Leon Jones are the biggest losses, each sporting considerable playing time and senior leadership. Eddie Smith, a transfer from Illinois, was especially effective at safety, tallying 23 solo tackles and a pair of picks last season. Leon Jones, currently rostered with Chicago Bears, made a nice tandem with Samy Johnson, and both will be difficult to replace.

Significant Retentions, Safety: Trevian Thomas, Brandon Greil, Dontay Joiner, Websley Etienne

Trevian Thomas’ (5’11” 196-pounds) return at safety is big for the Red Wolves, both as a senior leader and for his production (58 solo tackles and two picks last season). Also back on board, Brandon Greil (5’11” 180-pounds), the Little Rock product out of Joe T. Robinson who saw action in twelve games last season.

The backfield may rely on the growth of second-year man Dontay Joyner (6’0″ 170-pounds), who appeared in 12 games as a freshman and recorded 19 tackles. With Justin Parks migrating towards the trench as a mike linebacker, Joyner will be a crucial piece in preventing opposing offenses from eating up the Red Wolves with big-yardage bombs.

Significant Retentions, Cornerback: Justin Hodges, James Reed III, AJ Beale, DeAubry Hood

The Red Wolves receive a second year of high-motor corner Justin Hodges (6’2″ 184-pounds). The UCF import registered 26 tackles with 20 solo stops last season, and his size makes him an formidable opponent. James Reed III (5’10”, 193-pounds) also brings some experience at the edge, making a pair of starts last year and seeing more PT as the year wore on.

Portal Additions: Adrian Cole and Jordan Mahoney

With Leon Jones and Samy Johnson no longer on the roster, Butch Jones and his staff looked for a couple of experienced men to shore up the corner. Jordan Mahoney (UMass 6’0″ 183-pounds) was a two star prospect who matured into a three-star transfer by delivering shutdown defense for the Minutemen. Injuries last season limited Mahoney to just 29 tackles, but his sophomore campaign saw a very productive 42 tackles, 3.0 TFL, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions and six pass breakups.

Adrian Cole (Syracuse/FIU 5’11” 192-pounds) was a prospect and transfer three-star who recorded 30 tackles in ten games with FIU last season. Both Mahoney and Cole provide senior experience and will be relied heavily upon to shut down opposing quarterbacks.

Freshman Fire to Watch: Josh Stone, Braden Jackson, Kemari Nix, Kyle Williams, and David Moore

Josh Stone (6’0″ 181-pounds) was recruited as a safety but appears on the Red Wolves roster as a corner. He had offers from Appalachian State, Arkansas and Mississippi State among many others. Jones’ highest rated DB in this class is AJ Wallace (6’2″ 180-pounds), recruited as an athlete and positioned at safety. Wallace fielded offers from Kentucky, Mississippi and Michigan State before pulling the U-Haul to Jonesboro.

The Verdict

The defensive back position has solid freshman and portal talent, but only a handful of seasoned men who have taken snap for Arkansas State. Hodges at corner and Thomas at safety are anchor leaders for the squad, but much will be determined on how well guys like Mahoney and Cole pick up Rob Harley’s system, and how much growth Greil and Reed III have absorbed over the off season.

Of all positions for Arkansas State, this one gives us the most heartburn.

GRADE: D+