What was thought to be an already talented Little Rock Parkview backfield is going to be even stronger.
Arkansas recruiting target Darien Bennett (6-2, 220) has returned to the Patriots from Jacksonville and will join Razorbacks 2022 commit James Jointer (6-1, 210) and junior Willie Eackles (5-11, 165) in the backfield.
Those three will be featured when Parkview and Little Rock Catholic meet Wednesday in a scrimmage at War Memorial Stadium.
“He’s a good football player and we are happy to have him back and ready to roll,” Little Rock Parkview coach Brad Bolding said of Bennett, who rushed for 910 yards and 9 touchdowns at Jacksonville as a sophomore.
One of three 2023 in-state prospects Arkansas has offered along Razorbacks tight end pledge Shamar Easter and El Dorado wide receiver DeAndra Burns, Bennett played his freshman season at Parkview.
Bolding has plans to use all three in prominent roles this season.
“With Willie, we are doing a lot of stuff where we are bringing him in motion and using him as a slot guy,” Bolding said. “Out of the three, he probably has the best hands.”
Bennett’s first offer came from Arkansas on May 28, 2020.
“DB is probably the biggest back,” Bolding said. “He has gotten even bigger. He’s thick and he’s taller. He moves really well, runs well.
“We might look at him a little bit on defense. It just depends on a couple of things and a couple of younger players we have at linebacker. If they pan out there, he won’t play any defense.”
Jointer rushed 162 times for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns, and had 8 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown as a junior after missing most of his sophomore season because of an ACL injury.
“James is looking good and raring to go,” Bolding said. “He is hungry to have a great season."
There is actually a pretty good fourth option, according to Bolding.
“We have another kid, Walter Hobbs, who was a scout team running back that just got punished for the last three years,” Bolding said. “He has turned out to be a pretty good back, too. He is going to get a lot of touches, too.
“It is a good problem to have. We have a lot of guys to get the ball to.”
Parkview was 9-3 last season and returns six starters on offense and five on defense.
“I like to have quite a few backs, especially with our offensive line,” Bolding said. “Not only do we think that we will be able to throw, but feel like we will be able to run the ball pretty effectively as well.”
Those backs will team up with new quarterback Jaylon White (6-2, 210), who takes over for Razorbacks freshman Landon Rogers.
White has over a dozen offers from his play at safety and linebacker last season and was involved with Arkansas at one point.
He took a visit to Ole Miss at the end of July.
“Ole Miss just absolutely fell all over themselves and some other schools like Auburn and LSU are now in the mix,” Bolding said. “I have a feeling he will have some huge offers coming after the first couple of games.
“He looks great and is throwing the ball really well with the receivers. The offensive line is the key to the whole thing. Got a lot of good guys coming back.”
Bolding is eager to see how his team will match up against Catholic.
“Practice has been good," he said. "It has obviously been hot, but our players have done a really good job of getting their bodies ready.”
He’s hoping the covid-19 pandemic doesn’t compromise the season.
“We’re excited for the season,” Bolding said. "A little worried about the covid stuff because you are kind of going into the unknown now that the kids are all coming back to school. Most of our kids have been vaccinated and all of our coaches are.”