FAYETTEVILLE — Three questions for our panel of writers previewing the Razorbacks' running backs entering fall camp on Monday.
If you’re ranking the top tailbacks in the SEC, where do you slot Rakeem Boyd?
Tom Murphy: Top 3. Najee Harris must be good if he’s the top runner at Alabama. Kylin Hill is back at Mississippi State after posting nice numbers, but in a new offense. Boyd’s breakaway speed is as good as the Razorbacks have had in recent memory, plus he’s got sound vision and good physicality. The day Boyd elected to return to campus for his senior year was a HUGE boost to Sam Pittman and staff.
Clay Henry: I would not put anyone ahead of Boyd. Where some others may have the advantage is that they have a better offensive line. Alabama has recruited great backs in every class. I don't think anyone has done a better job of recruiting at that position than Nick Saban.
Bob Holt: I think Boyd is as good of a running back as there in the SEC. What he did the past two seasons playing for the struggling Razorbacks is extremely impressive. If Boyd played for Alabama or Georgia he’d probably be mentioned among the top candidates to win the Heisman Trophy.
To me, what he’s done as a Razorback is pretty amazing.
Scottie Bordelon: To me, Boyd is a top 3 back in the league and you could make the case he’s No. 2. I would have to place Alabama’s Najee Harris at No. 1, then it’s kind of a toss up in terms of Boyd and Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill. Both are supremely talented backs and known to give defenses fits. I would put him at No. 2 entering the season. There are a few tailbacks who would not only start but star for any team in the SEC, and Boyd is absolutely one of them.
Seth Campbell: I think Alabama running back Najee Harris and Mississippi State tailback Kylin Hill are the two best backs in the league. I would slot Boyd in behind them, with Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller coming in fourth. Harris has the benefit of getting to run behind the Alabama offensive line, and Hill is a great route runner, which will help him playing in Mike Leach’s air raid offense.
We have not really seen Arizona State transfer Trelon Smith live, but the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Do you think he can be a productive and reliable No. 2 back?
Tom Murphy: I don’t see why not. The Razorbacks had trouble corralling him as a scout teamer last year and if you can buzz around and make a starting SEC defense (even the Razorbacks) miss tackles, you’ve got promise. Hopefully the Razorbacks can go three or more deep at tailback.
Clay Henry: Trelon Smith can be a reliable and productive second back in this system. In fact, I expect Smith to be on the field at the same time as Rakeem Boyd in many situations. Smith is exactly the type of change-up type back that Kendal Briles loves to move around as a motion back and a slot man.
Bob Holt: The coaches and players spoke highly of Smith last season, so I think it’s reasonable to think he can be a good backup to Boyd. As good as Boyd is, the Razorbacks will need Smith to be productive as well.
Scottie Bordelon: Sam Pittman and Rakeem Boyd have talked up Smith since March, mentioning how hard he works. Chad Morris routinely said Smith stood out in team scrimmages and on scout team last season. From all accounts he is a strong and shifty back with good vision. If Smith remains consistent once Arkansas gets back on the field then I don’t see why he couldn’t be a solid complement to Boyd.
Seth Campbell: Boyd will need to take a break at some point, and when he does Smith should be the next option for the Hogs. According to the previous coaching staff, he was hard to tackle as a scout team back. If that can translate to games then I don’t see why he wouldn’t be the second option at the running back position.
Two-parter: Can T.J. Hammonds put it all together as a redshirt senior? And what can be expected of A’Montae Spivey after seeing limited snaps as a true freshman?
Tom Murphy: Really, for both players it remains to be seen. Hammonds in open space is a super dangerous weapon. Yet we can count on one hand the times he was free in space the last few years. He missed a hole on a third and short vs. Texas A&M last year and he was basically done after that. Yes, he CAN put it all together but WILL he?
Spivey would seemingly be the No. 3 back at best. We truly did not see enough of him in scrimmages and games to judge what he’d be like with a real shot yet. Certainly he would be capable if circumstances dictated to be a capable SEC back.
Clay Henry: Hammonds could surprise. The first thing he must do is figure out how to keep the football tight to his chest and avoid fumbles. That's been his problem. Hammonds has the speed that Briles covets, so he'll get a look. He just has to make the most of it when he's given that chance in scrimmages.
Spivey has a great pedigree. He was a tough, productive back for one of the best teams in the toughest divisions of Alabama high school football. Like every other young player, he really needed some spring scrimmages to be prepared to play as a redshirt freshman. Again, this is the tough part of not going to a bowl game. The young players don't get extra snaps and we all know that there has been no bowl games for Arkansas in a long time.
Bob Holt: Hopefully Hammonds has matured and will be ready for a big senior season. He’s definitely talented and has put together some good games — the Razorbacks don’t beat Coastal Carolina without him and he had some big plays in their last SEC win at Ole Miss in 2017 or whenever that was — but you’d like to see more consistency from him.
Spivey struggled in his limited snaps last season. He may be ready to contribute as a backup. I’m not expecting too much from him yet given the backs ahead of him on the depth chart.
Scottie Bordelon: It’s time for Hammonds to keep his head down and contribute for a full season in some capacity. Surely he can maximize his opportunities - we don’t know what those look like yet, of course - in his final season. We all know he’s capable of producing.
I think Spivey can battle for carries behind Boyd and Smith. He has to be sure to protect the football when given the chance.
Seth Campbell: Until I see it for myself, I don’t think Hammonds is a reliable option for the Hogs this year. As much as you would like to see him with the ball in his hands, he just hasn’t proven that he can handle being a running back in the SEC. He has plenty of upside, though, and maybe the third coaching staff he’s played for can unlock his potential.
As for A’Montae Spivey, I just haven’t seen enough of him to know. With only seven carries last year, Spivey is still a bit of a question mark in the running back room. My expectation for him is to be the third-string back, but with Boyd and Smith ahead of him, opportunities could be few and far between.