ANDY SHUPE Northwest Arkansas Times Arkansas junior tailback Michael Smith runs through drills during practice Monday on the school’s practice fields in Fayetteville.

Arkansas plans on using a committee in the backfield. And Michael Smith is plying his trade as chairman of backfield board.

Smith shadowed the best backfield tandem in school history for the past two seasons and now the junior said he's ready to step into the spotlight.

" I told myself I wasn't going to do a lot of talking, just playing, " Smith said. " Arkansas has always had good backs and I don't want there to be any drop-off. "

Smith, though, will be honing his vocation under much different circumstances. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones rushed first and asked questions later under former head coach Houston Nutt. Smith will have to use his brains as much as his brawn in Bobby Petrino's Power Spread offense.

" I like running between the tackles but 20-25 times a game is going to wear down my body, " Smith said. " Getting the ball in space and using my quickness and instincts is going to be where I'm most successful.

ADVERTISEMENT

" We're not going to run into stacked boxes like last year. This year, we're going to check out of it. We're going to put the ball in the air, too, so that takes some of the pressure off the backs. "

Even though Smith said he would spend less time rummaging for yards between the tackles, he gained 11 pounds in the offseason in hopes of earning increased playing time this fall. Smith said he focused on small muscle groups and nutrition to help boost his 5-7, 175-pound frame.

" I've never played a full college game so I'm not sure how I'm going to hold up, " Smith said. " I just know that when my number's called I'm running it as hard as I can. "

Smith's number will be called to block more than ever before. He said he's preparing for the arduous slate ahead.

" The blocking's going to be tough, " Smith said. " We cut a lot last year but Coach [Bobby ] Petrino's used to having big backs and doing a lot of stand-up blocking. A small back like me is going to have to fight and stay in there while the quarterback works through his progressions. "

Arkansas running backs coach Tim Horton said pass blocking is one aspect of the game that all of his pupils will struggle with early because three of the four fighting for playing time don't fit Petrino's prototype.

" It's a concern, not because they're not tough, " Horton said. " It's because of their size. They're not real big guys but they will stick their nose in there. They want to be good pass-blockers and they know it's going to be an integral part of what they do. "

Freshman Dennis Johnson (5-7, 195 ) of Texarkana is currently running No. 2 on the depth chart behind Smith but Horton said it will take a stable of backs to successfully execute the new offense.

" I think everyone knows now that it's going to take more than two, " Smith said. " With the younger backs knowing that their opportunity is coming soon, they work harder. And now that everyone is learning the plays, they're starting to push me and I'm pushing them. It's competitive but more of a support system because we know we have to rely on each other. "

Freshman De'Anthony Curtis (5-10, 205 ) of Camden and sophomore Chip Gregory (6-3, 218 ) of Allen Texas, will join Johnson and Smith in the backfield.

" I don't think it's any secret we're going to have to be tailback by committee, " Horton said. " We don't have that guy who can pound it 30 times a game. So that's where we're going to need De'Anthony Curtis, Chip Gregory and Dennis Johnson to step in and do the job... Their turn's coming in about 10 days. "

Gregory and Curtis, though, have been banged up, which has allowed Johnson to move up in the pecking order.

" De'Anthony's been on the sidelines and Chip's been banged up, although he did some stuff [Wednesday ], " Horton said. " Dennis Johnson is the one who's been getting a lot of reps lately and he's doing some really good things... And Michael's got good quickness and he's been a good example for the young guys to follow. "