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The list of candidates for LSU's vacant defensive coordinator position is becoming a lot more clear according to a recent report from AL.com. Current Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom is among the list of preferred candidates Matt Zenitz is reporting.

Arkansas was one of the surprise teams out of the SEC this season, winning three SEC games in 2020 after winning just one in the previous three seasons combined.

The improvement was in large part because of the playmaking and improvement shown on the defensive side of the ball. The Razorbacks were tied for second in the conference in interceptions while ranking No. 2 in tackles but did surrender 451 yards per game, No. 9 in the SEC.

Zenitz also reported that the early list of candidates includes Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard former NFL coach Kris Richard.

Of those three reported names, Freeman is likely the hottest candidate for other coaching positions across the country. Fresh off a 9-2 finish to its season that ended with a respectable 24-21 loss to Georgia in the Peach Bowl, Cincinnati became one of the elite defenses in the country.