Chase Hayden working as third-string RB

Chase Hayden

— Chase Hayden didn’t enroll early and arrive on campus in January like fellow true freshman Maleek Williams, but he’s already surpassed Williams as Arkansas’ third-team running back.

Hayden, a 5-foot-10, 191-pounder from Memphis, has apparently made a strong impression on the coaching staff early in fall camp. Sophomore Devwah Whaley is the clear-cut starter at running back and South Carolina graduate transfer David Williams’ experience gives him an inside track at a backup role, but Hayden may have put himself in position to play.

“Chase would probably be that third guy right now and he’s a complete different change-up than those other two backs,” coach Bret Bielema said. “Those three guys all bring kind of a different bag of tricks.”


Hayden weighs 25 pounds less than Whaley, 27 pounds less than Maleek Williams and 38 pounds less than David Williams, but the agility and quickness he displayed while running for 1,940 yards and 27 touchdowns on 12.1 yards per carry as a high school senior give him a chance to provide the Hogs with a change-of-pace, speed back.

“Chase Hayden has been really, really good,” offensive coordinator Dan Enos said.

Bielema also said Hayden will be in the mix as a returner.