McCarley Looking to Depth, Competition to Shape Arkansas State Defense

Arkansas State DC Griff McCarley (RedWolfReport/Sherri Matheson)

Arkansas State defensive coordinator Griff McCarley knows his defense will look different when the Red Wolves take the field in 2026.

With 33 newcomers among the 50 players on the defensive side of the roster, it almost has to.

But after watching a veteran-heavy defensive front emerge as one of Arkansas State’s strengths a year ago, McCarley believes this year’s group has the depth and versatility to replace what was lost — even if it takes more players to do it.

“I do think that this is going to be a little bit more by committee,” McCarley said. “Last year, I kind of thought the same thing, and then really we had two guys on the outside and two guys on the inside that really either elevated, improved their play, really bought in — mature guys that had played a lot of football for us.”