<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4FtLkP_0vRwTtF500" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4FtLkP_0vRwTtF500" width="1182" height="619" >The <a href="https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> (1-1, 0-0 SEC) have relied on a handful on <a href="https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/article/arkansas-football-sam-pittman-wants-more-razorbacks-playing-early-in-games-236021102/">young players through two games this season</a>. Arguably the best of those underclassmen has been sophomore safety <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/TJ-Metcalf-46114150">TJ Metcalf</a>. The 6-1, 200-pound Birmingham (Ala.) native has started both games so far and is quickly emerging as one of the better players on the Razorbacks defense.Metcalf has 14 tackles on the year, which is one away from his season total in 2023. In Saturday's 39-31 overtime loss to then-16th-ranked <a href="https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma-state/">Oklahoma State</a>, Metcalf recorded 12 tackles which ranked second on the team. During Monday's press conference, Arkansas head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/sam-pittman-477/">Sam Pittman</a> was asked about Metcalf and said the young safety is constantly improving."TJ Metcalf has just continued to get better and better and better," Pittman said. "He is a great tackler. I mean, he had some open-field tackles that a lot of guys don't make."Metcalf took over starting duties from senior safety <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Hudson-Clark-46079840">Hudson Clark</a> entering this season. According to Arkansas defensive coordinator <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Travis-Williams-1439">Travis Williams</a>, Metcalf was one of the players who made the biggest leaps in their development through the offseason, so it was no surprise to see him have such an increased role early. "TJ is a guy I think, probably, one of the guys who made the biggest jump, to be honest with you," Williams said ahead of Week 1. "We see him as a starter. He's going to play. He's going to play a lot. And he's earned that right. You watch him work his tail off in the offseason, you watch him while we're at practice working his tail off as well, so he's earned that right to go out there and play."Since arriving in Fayetteville, Metcalf has exhibited an impressive work ethic. On Tuesday night, he explained how that work ethic and having a chip on his shoulder have helped him become a starter for the Razorbacks."I just continue to put the work in and continue to believe in myself," Metcalf said. "I have that chip on my shoulder, that same grit that I came in with. Never losing faith and just going out there every day trying to get the starting job."All of last year I had the mentality of like every time I'm on the field I'm a starter. Because [Travis Williams] says we have standards and not starters, so I just uphold the standard every day and great things are going to happen."For his teammates on the offensive side of the ball, who Metcalf routinely matches up with in practice, his increased role this season comes as no surprise. According to senior wideout <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Andrew-Armstrong-46053013">Andrew Armstrong</a>, the improvement Metcalf has made from last year has been impressive to watch. "He's one of the most developed guys that I've seen in the defense," Armstrong said. "From when he got here to where he is now, it's night-and-day. It's like he's a totally different player back there. He's smarter. He knows what plays are coming, when they're coming. He just got better overall."For starting running back <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/jaquinden-jackson-87600/">Ja'Quinden Jackson</a>, Metcalf's physicality and mindset in practice are what stands out. Jackson revealed that it doesn't matter if it's a practice, walk-through or scrimmage, Metcalf always goes 100%. "Physical guy. He flies around the field. I don't think he does anything half-speed," Jackson said. "He goes through the walk-thru full speed. He's just full speed. It's just go, go, go with him. It's a great addition to our defense. One thing about him, he'll come down and hit you. No matter what, who you are, he'll come down and hit you, so that's a huge addition to our defense."Metcalf and the Razorbacks will host the <a href="https://247sports.com/college/alabama-birmingham/">UAB Blazers</a> (1-1, 0-0 AAC) on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. (CDT), and the game will be televised on SEC Network. </div></body>

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TJ Metcalf impressive in starting role for Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1, 0-0 SEC) have relied on a handful on young players through two games this season. Arguably the best of those underclassmen has been sophomore safety TJ Metcalf. The 6-1, 200-pound Birmingham (Ala.) native has started both games so far and is quickly emerging as one of the better players on the Razorbacks defense.

TJ Metcalf impressive in starting role for Razorbacks

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