Day remains solid to Arkansas

Arkansas running back commitment Juan Day of North Little Rock.

North Little Rock running back Juan Day, an Arkansas commitment, ran his usual time in the 40 yard dash when he recorded a 4.56 at the Arkansas Football Combine at North Little Rock High School on Saturday.

Day, 6-1, 213 pounds has been clocked in the 4.5 range consistently but event organizer and speed trainer B.J. Maack plans to work with Day and believes he can get into the high 4.4's.

"He said I need to keep my head down for the first 10 yards," Day said.

Some athletes test well in the 40 yard dash but don't necessarily show the same type speed on the field.

“I feel like I can run a 4.4,” Day said. “To me, 40 isn't really something I feel like I have to do because I feel like I play better on game day. ”

Day, who leads by example during offseason workouts, said he made good strides in the weight room.

“I reached some of my goals like power clean, I went up 30 pounds, squats I went up 60 pounds," Day said. "In the bench, I went up 40 pounds. In the bench, I had 270, power clean I had 285 and squat was 405. I've gone up since my ankle injury because of my ankle injury I couldn't really squat so I'm really proud of that.”

As a junior, Day, who's first cousin is former Razorback running back Cedric Cobbs, rushed 115 times for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games. He said he's still solid to the Hogs.

“Coach (Bret) Bielema is down to earth and Coach (Joel) Thomas is real cool," said Day, who reports tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. plans to be at the school today. "We have a good connection.”

Day missed out playing his sophomore season due to injury. Last year was his first year of playing on the varsity level while splitting time with Alabama signee Altee Tenpenny. The experience has given him more confidence for his upcoming senior season

“I got the feel for the game speed and I feel like this year I should be better because I'm more calm and relaxed at practice instead of tense in trying to prove something," Day said. "This year I'm more relaxed. I'm looking to get more carries this year. I will come out and start and show what I can do.”