FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas running backs coach Jeff Traylor has seen all of the impressive runs, the breakaway speed and even the hurdling of defenders.
Traylor, as well as the rest of the Razorbacks’ staff, spends a significant amount of time watching a recruit’s game film before offering a scholarship. So he knows well what type of player he’s getting in Rakeem Boyd.
The lone running back in Arkansas’ first signing class under Chad Morris, Boyd starred at Independence Community College in 2017 and was one of a select few profiled in the Netflix Original Last Chance U, which released on July 20. Boyd rushed for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games and led the Pirates to a 9-2 season.
The Houston, Texas, native will join an already loaded group of running backs in Traylor’s room and create what several coaches on staff believe to be the team’s deepest unit in 2018. The issue for Arkansas’ offensive staff when it comes to its running backs – finding carries, touches and playing time for five talented players – is a good one to have.
Traylor’s advice to each one in the group: Be ready.
“That’s always the juggle of coaching skill positions – receivers, running backs. You’ve just got to coach them up on what their role is and explain to them how they’re going to be used,” said Traylor, who’s known Boyd since the back’s time at Stratford High School. “When you get your chance, you’ve got to go out and play so well that I can’t afford to pull you. At that position, you get nicked up pretty good, and we’re going to keep a fresh back on the field. I don’t want a guy limping.
“If they’re healthy, they’re going to be on the field, and if they’re not, they’ll be over there cheering for the guys that are healthy.”
Traylor says Boyd is “an underdog story,” and is hopeful he can take advantage of a new lease on his football career.
“We’re all rooting for him,” he said. “To get to redeem yourself in life … we all make mistakes. To get a second chance, I think he’ll be very humble and very glad to be here.”
ICC coach Jason Brown has made no bones about what type of talent Boyd possesses. He’s even gone as far as to say Boyd is as talented as any of the 20-plus players he’s had go on to play professional football. Boyd turned a corner during the 2017 season following a slow start and led the Pirates to their first bowl win in school history.
To maximize his potential, Brown said Boyd must become a stronger, more durable back and physically dominant in the weight room. He believes it will happen at Arkansas.
“He finished the season in dominating fashion,” Brown said. “He’s 100 degrees hotter than he was when he got (to ICC). I love him to death. He’s a kid that the coaches there at Arkansas have to earn his trust. He shows NFL brilliance, obviously. Texas A&M told me that when I got him.
“In the middle of the year, he hurdled a guy, and in the same game we’re trying to kill the clock before the half and he takes it 99 yards for a touchdown. That kind of shows me he’s just different.”
Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock was another coach aware of the caliber of player Boyd was. When recruiting Boyd at SMU, Craddock said he knew the program didn’t have a shot at landing him. He felt Boyd was one of the best backs in the class of 2016.
Craddock believes adding Boyd will make the competition at the position even greater and bring out the best in each player.
“I’m very excited about having him, and adding some more depth and adding another back to that room that’s already a really good room,” he said. “Playing in the SEC West, you’re going to need those guys and I think their biggest challenge (will be) selflessness and being a guy that cheers for each other. It’s a brotherhood.
“Rakeem, Devwah, Chase, whoever is getting those reps – TJ, Maleek – they’re pulling for the other guy out there. It’s a tight group. I think we’re going to be pretty special from that room.”
Boyd will wear No. 5 this fall and, at Arkansas’ signing day event in Springdale in February, Morris detailed a conversation with his new running back about what the number signifies in program history.
“He’s got some big shoes to fill,” Morris said. “We’ve told him straight up, ‘Look, that number represents a great back. We expect you to carry through with that.’
“He’s a guy that can put his foot in the ground, has great vision and power. ... He’s physical. He’s a guy that’s played at this level. I just think he’s got an opportunity to bring some of that veteran feel into that room with these guys.”