10 big questions: Does Arkansas have enough depth at RB?

Arkansas running back Devwah Whaley carries the ball during a game against Missouri on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in Columbia, Mo.

This is the seventh in a series of 10 questions facing Arkansas football headed into fall camp, which begins July 27.

Rawleigh Williams’ decision to walk away from football after a second scary neck injury left Arkansas in a familiar position.

For the third straight year, its running back depth has been drastically affected by injury.

10 Big Questions

Looking at some of the key storylines as Arkansas prepares to kick off fall camp July 27.

http://www.wholehog…">Who is the backup QB?

http://www.wholehog…">Is there enough depth at LB?

http://www.wholehog…">Will another DL playmaker emerge to join Sosa Agim?

http://www.wholehog…">How much better will the OL be?

http://www.wholehog…">Who will step up at WR behind Jared Cornelius?

http://www.wholehog…">How much will safety play improve?

http://www.wholehog…">How much will safety play improve?

In 2015, Jonathan Williams broke his foot in fall camp and wound up missing the entire season, an injury that effectively ended his Razorback career. Midway through the year, Rawleigh Williams, then a freshman, suffered his first neck injury, a season-ender. It meant Alex Collins handled the bulk of the workload.

Last year, oft-injured Kody Walker sustained a season-ending foot injury against Alabama. Devwah Whaley had to step up as the unquestioned backup.

This year, Arkansas will of course have to adjust to life without Williams, who went down in the Hogs’ final spring practice.

Sophomore Devwah Whaley becomes the de-facto feature back. If history is any indication, he could be on the verge of one of the biggest seasons in school history.

In 2015, Collins averaged 20.9 carries per game and was responsible for 62.9 percent of all running back rushing attempts while finishing with 1,577 yards. Last year, Rawleigh Williams averaged 18.8 carries a game and accounted for 59.5 of the total running back attempts while running for 1,360 yards.

It’s no coincidence those are the 2 biggest rushing totals in Bielema’s 4 years and 2 of the top 5 in school history. Whaley could be in line for a similarly big year, the type of season that could make the former 4-star recruit an All-SEC back.

But is there enough depth behind him? That became a pressing question once Williams decided to retire.

Adding South Carolina grad transfer David Williams in June was a needed boost. He probably didn’t live up to his lofty recruiting rankings at South Carolina, but he is a veteran who’s been through the SEC wars. He ran for 794 yards and 5 touchdowns in his 3-year Gamecock career.

Bielema said in May the staff preferred to leave explosive sophomore T.J. Hammonds at receiver, where he practiced in the spring after playing running back in 2016. That leaves the Razorbacks with true freshmen Maleek Williams and Chase Hayden as the only other options.

Maleek Williams enrolled early and went through winter workouts and spring ball. He ran for 160 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries in Arkansas’ two big spring scrimmages, impressing even though he was going up against the second-team defense. He might be the most physical back on the roster. He doesn’t shy away from contact and can pick up yards after the first hit, even after he dropped 17 pounds to get his weight down to 219 once he arrived on campus. He should have a chance to compete with David Williams for the backup role.

Hayden wasn’t an early enrollee, but has the potential to be a home-run threat thanks to his unique combination of athleticism and elusiveness, which could lead to him earning snaps as a freshman.

The backs’ contrasting styles could come in handy as the coaching staff tries to spell Whaley over the course of a grueling schedule. Relying on true freshmen in important roles is never a sure thing, so having David Williams as an option helps.

Whaley is going to be the feature back, but the grad transfer and freshmen are now being relied upon to immediately contribute and help keep the sophomore fresh. How they grow over the summer and in fall camp will be one of the team’s most important storylines to track.