Rudell Crim is a defensive nomad.
A cornerback in high school, a safety in junior college and a cornerback again his first year at Arkansas last season, Crim has had to adjust on the fly.
So at least the senior has some experience on his side going into the offseason facing another switch in the defensive backfield. Even so, watching film from practice is still a bit awkward for Crim, who moved to strong safety from cornerback in Arkansas’ final week of spring drills.
“It’s still kind of surprising,” the senior-to-be said. “But, hey, I’m there now and I’m ready to roll.”
Crim adjusted slowly as a first-year starter from Butler County (Kan.) Community College last season. He routinely was in the mix at cornerback, a spot that was picked on often by opposing offenses for big gains and touchdowns. His speed, though, was apparent. He tied for the team lead in pass breakups (4) and was a threat off the edge in pass rush situations in his 13 starts.
So when Ross Rasner, recently promoted from off the depth chart to starter at strong safety, dropped an interception and was slow to react at times in a scrimmage April 16, the coaches took notice.
“We want to try to get a little more speed on the field,” defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said.
So Crim moved over, Rasner moved down the depth chart and sophomore-to-be Darius Winston took over the starting spot at left corner.
What’s resulted is a faster defensive backfield, more plays on balls and some blossoming from Winston.
Winston, a five-star recruit out of high school, struggled last season with his strength and understanding of Robinson’s defense. He wasn’t physical enough on the line and was often seen being pushed around in bump coverage.
That’s changed, Robinson said. And in a practice Wednesday, it was finally seen on a catch by Greg Childs, who was thrown to the ground by Winston as he attempted to rip the ball from his hands for an interception.
“I’m not trying to prove anything,” Winston said. “I’m just trying to become a more physical player. That’s part of the game I need to work on.”
Extra sessions in the weight room, understanding the defense and the rigors of training for the hard-nosed Razorbacks under Coach Bobby Petrino have helped.
And a renewed confidence with the safeties, led by promising young star Tramain Thomas and the addition of Crim helping with the short side of the field.
“It makes me feel a lot more comfortable knowing I have the speed of the safety behind me,” Winston said.
“It’s up to the individual to adjust to it, but due to Darius Winston being one of those guys that are willing to learn, he was always in there excited about it,” Crim said. “I believe the thing that helped him prove the most was the weight room. He noticed how strong he could get and the stronger and more physical you are in the weight room, and made sure to bust his chops in the weight room.”
Crim, who’s already proved himself as a cornerback and safety in the juco ranks, has plenty to prove as well. He caught himself playing a cornerback technique at safety earlier this week in practice. Coach Robinson made sure to correct him on the field.
“It was a little difficult,” Crim admitted.
“But maybe as the spring finishes and we go into the summer, maybe I can work both (at corner and safety),” he added. “I’m very confident. I’ve had a lot more reps, so I’m very confident.”
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So Brandon, what is your best guess at what the starting defensive lineup for Arkansas is going to look like come the first game this fall?
Has Anthony Leon just fallen off the radar, or will he be moved to OLB now that Crim has stepped up at safety? I’ve always thought that he and Jerico Nelson were out of position and should flip flop. What do you think?
Win,
I won’t go as far as to name the starting 11, but I will say that Rudell Crim and Tramain Thomas have shown promise at the safety spots. Also, Anthony Leon is still having trouble adjusting to this defense and is consistently down the depth chart at second and third team. He needs to make some moves and improvement this summer, otherwise he’ll be limited again with his playing time this fall.
I just don’t know if Leon can adjust to an outside linebacker spot in one summer. He may be a good head hunter and run defender there, but can he help cover intermediate and short passing routes? He still has to prove that, as I remember him getting cut under on a touchdown pass on the goal line in the Liberty Bowl. He’s still slow to react to some plays.