FAYETTEVILLE — The question came late in the interview, almost as an afterthought: Who is the backup nickel?
I just wanted the depth at the specialty position in the Arkansas defense. Paul Rhoads, the secondary coach and defensive coordinator, would give it to me. He doesn't hold back information as some of the more paranoid coaches often do.
There was a pause from Rhoads. Oh, no, he wasn't going to tell me.
It's because he couldn't.
“He's not here yet,” Rhoads said, grinning. “We don't really have a backup.”
That's why Rhoads had earlier emphasized that senior Kevin Richardson is such a valuable player in the new 3-4 defense being installed this spring.