Questions surround Arkansas nickel position halfway through camp

The nickel position is key to the success of the Razorback defense as a play-making position, but after Greg Brooks Jr. this spring the depth at that position has been somewhat of a mystery.

On top of it, Brooks has not been practicing for at least the past two practices. It would be one thing if he were a veteran, but Brooks is a true freshman who enrolled early in the spring. Coaches felt confident enough with him to move 2018 nickel starter D'Vone McClure inside to linebacker, but Brooks needs all the reps he can get. After Brooks -- and with him missing -- there have been a lot of different players working there. Arkansas cornerbacks coach Mark Smith indicated that Brooks' injury was nothing serious in his post-practice interview.

"I know it’s not a major thing,"Smith said. "I don’t know. I don’t know when they [plan to bring him back]."

Redshirt junior Micahh Smith worked with the first group at nickel during Tuesday's practice, which was live tackle for a good portion. Two walk ons, Nathan Parodi and Simeon Blair were also at nickel. Parodi has shown a knack for getting to the football since the spring, and that has continued in camp.

"Of course, Greg Brooks has been playing out there. We've been playing Micahh Smith both at corner and nickel. Then we've got Nathan Parodi and Simeon Blair," Smith said. "We've got a lot of guys that have been rotating in and working that spot. Really it's a spot any corner can go in and play with as much wide open 11-, 10-personnel we see that's really a third corner that's out on the field. Really the skill-sets overlap a lot between nickel and corner."

Arkansas has also worked some dime this spring, which means they need a fifth defensive back. The starting dime package features Montaric Brown and Jarques McClellion at cornerback, Brooks (when healthy) at nickel, and Joseph Foucha comes down from free safety as the extra defensive back while Myles Mason goes in for him at safety. Kamren Curl remains as the strong safety. They have also worked freshman safety Jalen Catalon as the extra defensive back in the dime package, in addition to free safety, but so far he has yet to practice any at nickel during camp.

"Joe is definitely playing faster. He’s probably most improved from what we had in the spring," safeties coach Ron Cooper said. "He’s worked his tail off in the spring. He’s really had an excellent summer. I think that’s really played a part in what he’s doing right now. We still have work to do though."

Arkansas has a little extra time to figure out the nickel position because they're 

expected to line up in their base 4-3 defense quite a bit against Portland State in the opener due to their personnel packages. While McClure has worked mostly at weakside linebacker, he has also seen action at the strongside spot, which is basically the same position as nickel except for a body more made for run-stopping than pass coverage. Hayden Henry is the current starter at strongside linebacker while being the top backup at weakside. Sources say Henry is going to surprise people this season with how much he has improved.

"He has been in with the inside 'backers, but we've also slid him out there," Smith said of McClure. "That Sam and nickel position are very similar so when we get bigger personnels we will have our base defense in there which includes our Sam where he's working."

https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Article/Greg-Brooks-Jr-Arkansas-fall-camp-nickel-134425203/

A young secondary and  now questions of the nickel back.  We lose Harris at LB and we don't have an answer.  the oline?  No expectations either.