Q: Rakeem Boyd missed all of spring ball recovering from various injuries. Does he match or exceed last year's rushing numbers (734 yards, 2 TD)?
Clay Henry: Boyd will be the bell cow. I would not be surprised to see five or six 100-yard games from Boyd. He'll beat that total. I love to watch Boyd sink his hips and drive for extra yardage at the point of contact. He's a big-time talent. The NFL scouts love his leg strength and burst.
Dudley Dawson: I think he is going to roar past that number this year. I have seen him this summer and he looks in great shape and should have a breakout season. Even with Devwah Whaley and Chase Hayden getting plenty of carries as well, I’ll take the over on this one.
I am predicting 1,000 yards, double-digit touchdowns and believe he will have the leading role this season.
Tom Murphy: I think Boyd will slot between that 734 and 1,000 yards. We have to remember this is a deep spot, and truly Devwah Whaley and Chase Hayden should get quality touches every game to keep everybody fresh. But Boyd's potential as a game-breaker and pass catcher cannot be denied. The Hogs will ride him in some games, much as they did the middle portion of 2018 when he really emerged.
Scottie Bordelon: I think Rakeem is in for a strong season individually. I expect him to be much more knowledgeable within the offense this year. As Matt detailed in his profile of Boyd in Hawgs Illustrated this summer, there were times early last season when he had no idea what he was supposed to do. He'll be more comfortable. Arkansas has not had a 1,000-yard back since Rawleigh Williams in 2016. Rakeem has the ability to reach that mark this fall.
Seth Campbell: Yes, he exceeds last year's rushing numbers. Chad Morris has pointed out multiple times that speed is a necessary ingredient in an SEC offense, and Boyd has that speed. He has the ability to be the feature back in an offense that when it's really going can have a 1,000-yard rusher.
Q: What kind of season do you foresee Devwah Whaley having if he remains healthy?
Clay Henry: It depends on whether or not he comes back as light as he was in the spring. It was clear that he'd picked up a little speed after dumping about 15 pounds. He has the body lean of an SEC back, but he's got to show more wiggle. He's going to get touches and there is a comfort level to his pass blocking that will put him on the field in third down sets.
Dudley Dawson: I see him having his best college year after having 602, 559 and 368 yards rushing in his first three and also see him used more in the passing game where he has had just 22 catches in three years.
Tom Murphy: Doing what Devwah does - pounding between the tackles, averaging around 4 yards per carry, being a solid pass protector and leader. If he remains healthy, there's no reason to think he couldn't rush for 500-plus yards.
Scottie Bordelon: I'm high on Whaley, maybe higher than most. As a freshman he backed up Rawleigh Williams and ran for 600 yards; as a sophomore he was David Williams' No. 2 and ran for just shy of 600 on a team-high 127 carries; and last season injuries plagued what could have been a breakout year. When healthy, he is dependable. This is a guy who is averaging nearly 4.5 yards per carry in SEC games in his career. I understand all of the hype around Boyd, but don't discount Whaley. I can see him rushing for 500-600 yards in 2019.
Seth Campbell: After playing in only seven games last year, I would expect Whaley's numbers to go up (368 yards, 2 touchdowns last year). In a tempo offense more than one running back will be needed, and Whaley could be a change-of-pace back for the Hogs.
Q: If Boyd and Whaley are the Razorbacks' featured backs this fall, where does that leave Chase Hayden?
Clay Henry: The thing is, I don't ever recall the top two running backs often making through a season in the SEC. Yes, that happened with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, but not many times in other seasons. I believe Chase Hayden is going to get snaps. The key is when he does, he's got to run more north and south and not dance quite as much. If he can do that, good things will happen.
Dudley Dawson: I think all three will have roles. I would guess that he has more carries than the 61 and 57 he has had the past two years that have resulted in a combined 577 yards and five touchdowns.
Tom Murphy: Based on what we saw from Chase Hayden as a true freshman, it's smart to get him at least 8-10 touches per game. The fact he was the last back standing in spring is a huge plus and he should be rewarded. He needed improvement in pass protection based on last year's coaches commentary so he doesn't get slotted into non-passing downs.
Scottie Bordelon: Hayden will likely have chances to make an impact this fall. How many? I'm not sure, but like Clay said, it's fairly rare that an SEC team's top two running backs don't miss time with an injury of some sort. The two guys ahead of him both underwent surgery in the last 12 months to repair injuries. He should remain ready because anything can happen.
Seth Campbell: Unfortunately for Hayden that leaves him on the bench. The good news is the likelihood of two top running backs going through the entire season without any injuries is small. The problem for Hayden is running back is probably the deepest position for the Hogs, and if he doesn't perform there is somebody waiting in the wings for a shot.
Q: Somewhat unbelievably, Cole Kelley led Arkansas in rushing scores last season. Who leads the team this year?
Clay Henry: I think it will be close between Boyd and Whaley. Boyd might be a drive starter. Whaley might be a drive finisher. So I think they will both pile up some scores - more than the quarterback this year.
Dudley Dawson: Yes, Cole had three last season in a year when the Razorbacks had an anemic 11 overall. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rakeem Boyd gets that many himself this season.
Tom Murphy: That, of course, will always be one of the most bizarre stats from 2018. Boyd will lead with 10, followed by Whaley (6) and Hayden (5). How's that for specificity?
Scottie Bordelon: I'll go the other way and predict Whaley will lead the group in rushing scores. In that room, he best resembles a goalline back, and if Arkansas' offense finds itself in the red zone and isn't targeting Cheyenne O'Grady, Whaley is a great second option.
Seth Campbell: Rakeem Boyd. I believe Boyd will be the feature back, meaning he will get the most touches. The person with the most touches is the most likely to score, thus Rakeem Boyd is the answer here.