Razorback Roundtable: Running Backs

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

— Four questions for four writers previewing Arkansas' backfield.

Over/under: Devwah Whaley runs for 1,300 yards.

Bob Holt: I'm going to say slightly under 1,300. I believe if Whaley stays healthy he can rush for more than 1,000 yards, but getting to 1,300 may be asking a little much of a first-time starter, though Rawleigh Williams did it last season.

Jimmy Carter: Fairly confident in the over. The last two years, Alex Collins and Rawleigh Williams surpassed the mark operating as the clear-cut feature back, which is what Whaley will be this fall. He could contend for the SEC rushing title.

Clay Henry: If Whaley stays healthy, he'll top that number. No doubt, he'll get the touches to do it and I expect the running game to be better with an improved offensive line. Whaley will be the bell cow of this offense and has the speed to produce more big plays than the Hogs saw from that position last year with Rawleigh Williams getting the bulk of the carries.

Matt Jones: Assuming he stays healthy, I'll say over for two reasons: I think Arkansas passes the ball less this year and the defenses in the SEC West will be a little down relative to last year. Arkansas doesn't have another back comparable to Whaley, so he'll probably have a chance to carry the ball as much, if not more than Rawleigh Williams did last season.

Where does Whaley rank in the SEC hierarchy of RBs?

Holt: I'd put Whaley among the top five to six running backs in the SEC, but LSU's Derrius Guice, Auburn's Kamryn Pettway and Georgia's Nick Chubb are at the top of the list.

Carter: Derrius Guice is the no-brainer best back in the conference, in my eyes. Georgia’s Nick Chubb, Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams and Auburn’s Kamryn Pettway are all very talented, too. If Whaley puts up the kind of season most feel he is capable of, he will have a chance to add his name to that group.

Henry: There are plenty of other good running backs in the SEC. He's at least in the top five or six. He'd make the two deep about anywhere in the SEC and that includes LSU and Alabama. That's all you really need to know.

Jones: I think he's a good talent, but he's not high on the totem pole coming into the season because he only has about 600 yards to his name. In the SEC West alone you have Derrius Guice, Kamryn Pettway, Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and some other promising backs, and the East has Ralph Webb and Nick Chubb. This year the conference is deep with experienced, proven backs.

Who finishes second on the team in rushing?

Holt: I'll go with Maleek Williams. He was a highly-rated signee and enrolling at the UA in January and going through winter workouts and spring practice puts him ahead of the curve.

Carter: Maleek Williams is probably the safe pick. He got the head start by enrolling early and going through spring practice. He looked good after dropping close to 20 pounds and is a physical runner.

Henry: I think it will be T.J. Hammonds. Not all of his carries will be from the tailback position. He's going to get several touches a game from the slot back spot on reverses and counters. The gain per play will be significant.

Jones: If he can learn the offense quickly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is David Williams, the fifth-year transfer from South Carolina. The second-leading rusher might not have more than a few-hundred yards and Williams might get as many chances to touch the ball as the freshmen.

Over/under: T.J. Hammonds has 25 carries in the regular season.

Holt: I'll say slightly over. I expect Dan Enos will figure out a variety of ways to get the ball to someone who has the speed and moves of Hammonds, and in addition to receptions that will mean some sweeps and reverses as well as probably some pitches where he lines up in the backfield.

Carter: I’ll take the over. Even if Hammonds stays at WR, he should still line up in the backfield occasionally and will be a threat on jet sweeps and end arounds. Heck, Jared Cornelius had 13 carries last year. Hammonds is one of the most explosive players on the roster, so the staff will get creative to get him touches.

Henry: I think it will be over. The key will be ball security. If he can protect the football, he'll get a lot more carries than 25.

Jones: Because I think he'll stick to receiver, I'll say less. I'm sure he'll get some touches out of the backfield or on end-arounds, but I think you'll see coaches try to get him involved more in the short passing game.