Bret Bielema has coached two true-freshmen, 1,000-yard running backs in his 10-year career.
It appears he may add another this season.
Arkansas’ backfield landscape is ripe for the heralded Devwah Whaley to run for comparable yards as a freshman than Alex Collins (1,026) or Darren McFadden (1,113). Whaley, a four-star standout from Beaumont, Texas, may already be the best option with two weeks left before the season opener at home against Louisiana Tech.
Sixth-year senior, Kody Walker, will be instrumental in the leadership role for the Hogs, but his battering-ram style is more suited for short-yardage situations and ball control. And he has missed 26 games during his career to injuries.
Sophomore Rawleigh Williams saw significant action last year before his season was cut short because a serious neck injury. Williams a 5-foot-10, 225-pounder, has big-play ability with blazing speed. Some question how prepared he will be coming off an injury, but he began to put some of those to rest last week with an impressive scrimmage.
He and Whaley are clearly the top two backs on the roster, reminiscent of 2013 when sophomore Jonathan Williams and the freshman Collins had big years.
There are plenty of reasons to put stock in Whaley. The, 6-foot, 209-pounder, ranked in the Top 10 of national prep running backs by most recruiting services and played in the Under Armour All-American Game. Whaley had a long list of offers and had committed to Georgia before Mark Richt was fired.
His prep highlights show a quick first step, power and elusiveness. He has all of the traits of a Bielema back. The coach salivates as he evaluates his ability.
But talent is only one part of success. There is also a mental aspect - being able to master the playbook and understand audibles and blocking schemes.
Some freshmen don’t make the adjustment. In high school, sometimes all backs are asked to do is run the ball. It’s a little more complicated than that in big-time college football, and that learning curve can slow a player down. Whaley is aided in the fact that he got to campus this summer.
Maturity is also a factor. Collins was in and out of Bielema’s doghouse the first two years. It never seemed to be a major problem but enough to where it affected his playing time occasionally.
As a junior, Collins seemed to grow up and was as dependable as any player on the roster. Whaley will need to be able to handle the responsibility that comes with being a featured back and be able to handle the success.
Also, he'll need to show resiliency to bounce back from mistakes or a lackluster performance. He can’t afford to hang his head. Bielema has already praised his demeanor and attitude, so that’s a good sign.
It is apparent that Whaley has the talent of Collins and McFadden at 18. Many have already sized him up next to Collins, who ran for more than 1,500 yards as a junior last season and broke the school record with 20 rushing touchdowns.
McFadden had fellow star Felix Jones (626 yards) as a freshman and Collins had Williams (900 yards). A healthy Williams will take some pressure off, will give Whaley rest and vice versa.
Of course, Walker is more than capable of eating up some carries and carving out first downs.
With what Whaley has done so far in camp (95 yards and some highlight runs in last week’s scrimmage), he is primed for a year that could put him in an elite class.
If he's healthy, look for Whaley to push the 1,000-yard mark and earn freshman All-American status. He is that good, and the situation is made for tailor made for him to breakout.