FAYETTEVILLE — Koilan Jackson didn't have to hear much of the question before breaking into a big smile.
Admittedly, Jackson smiles a lot anyway, but he wasn't surprised by the question about two of the young stars in the Arkansas freshman class.
Does Jackson think he was raised in similar fashion to how Chase Hayden grew up? Both have fathers who played in the NFL.
“Very similar, very,” Jackson said. “We've talked about it. We were raised almost exactly the same way.”
Hayden's father Aaron was a running back at Tennessee, then played four seasons in the NFL after the San Diego Chargers took him in the fourth round of the 1995 draft.
Jackson's dad Keith was an All-America tight end at Oklahoma. He's in the College Football Hall of Fame, was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and played nine years in the NFL.
Hayden and Jackson were two of the stars in Saturday's scrimmage. Hayden scored on a 74-yard run. Jackson caught a 45-yard touchdown pass despite strong coverage from top cover man Ryan Pulley.
Hayden has burst into the depth chart as the third running back behind Devwah Whaley and senior transfer David Williams. Jackson is working with the second team at wide receiver.
It seems both fathers raised their sons with tough love. Hayden said he's “extremely close” to his father and always knew to expect the hard line when it came to sports.
“My dad, from when I can remember, told me that since he played in the NFL to expect everyone to be coming for me,” Hayden said. “He said they would be trying to prove themselves against me and that I had to work harder than anyone else. My dad was hard on me, especially early on. He taught me preparation.”
Told that, Jackson said, “I understand. I had the same thing. My dad told me I had the Jackson name. I heard that starting when I was 3. I think I've known about my dad and the NFL since I was that age. Basically, Chase and I were raised the same way. We knew our family name held weight.”
Hayden thinks that upbringing was “a plus. My dad can tell me about the process of playing in the SEC, the NFL and the little things that get you there. I talk to my dad every day. I talked to him after the scrimmage Saturday afternoon.”
Was there a message after Chase told his dad about his big day?
“Yes, he said keep it up,” Hayden said. “He said I have a lot more to prove.”
Jackson said Hayden is proving a lot.
“I was out there blocking for him on his run,” Jackson said. “I can tell you Chase is very fast. He's a great athlete. I was trying to stay with him. I went into the end zone with him. It was a heckuva run.”
Hayden said it was not something that was expected, especially against the first defense.
“It did feel good, but I wasn't expecting to break it,” he said. “Not like that. I did get a little tired.”
An official spotted him out of bounds at the 9-yard line, but another said it was a touchdown.
“Our assistant running back coach was going down the sideline with me,” Hayden said. “He told me I was in. I thought I was in bounds.
“The cut I made was just instinct. You don't plan that. It's kind of like a feeling.”
It's that instinct that makes Hayden a special talent. He's enjoying the Arkansas offense.
“I played in the I-formation in the ninth grade and as a sophomore,” he said. “Then, we were in the spread. I actually much prefer this offense, being in the I-formation. I wanted to play in this offense.
“I like everything about it. I admit that the pass protections are the hard part, but I'm getting it. That's what I need the most work.”
Hayden has added almost 10 pounds to his 5-11 frame. He's at 197 pounds and expects to play at 195. Obviously, he's still got his speed and quickness at the heavier weight.
“I think that's a good weight for me,” he said. “I get my agility and quickness from playing basketball. I played AAU starting at age 7. I think that is where I got my ability to cut, playing AAU basketball.”
Hayden has the burst that makes him dangerous on the outside, but he thinks inside running is the bread and butter of the Arkansas offense. It's to his liking.
“I really do like the inside run period of our practice,” he said. “That's what makes this offense go. I did a lot of research on this offense. I know that's where you can really break long runs. You pop clear on an inside run and there's no one there. It's those kinds of runs that I really enjoy. So I look forward to inside run periods in practice.
“I know what running in the 'A' gap means here at Arkansas. I look forward to that. I like the downhill runs.”
Hayden said it's a fun room with the running backs. He's got plenty of competition.
“What I've seen, yes, there is competition between all of us,” he said. “But everyone helps the other one. Devwah is a mentor. So is David Williams. We know one man isn't going to do it by himself at this position. We are going to need everyone.”
It sure looked like the Razorbacks found another running back to count on Saturday.