FAYETTEVILLE — Four questions for five writers previewing Arkansas’ running backs in 2021.
Trelon Smith rushed for 710 yards in 2020. Does he reach that mark again?
Tom Murphy: Smith exceeds that mark by a decent percentage as long as he stays healthy. His work between the tackles for a shorter, “speed” back was impressive. It felt like by about Week 3 or 4 he was the de facto starter as Rakeem Boyd was slowed by his ankle injury. I’ll say he goes for about 790 as the Razorbacks work multiple personnel at tailback.
Scottie Bordelon: I believe so. Smith proved last season that he’s shifty, tough and a challenge to bring down. He’s the top guy in the room as fall camp starts. He has earned that much given his play last season and work in the spring. I think he’s a guy who can rush for nearly 800 and surpass 1,000 yards of total offense if his hands have improved out of the backfield.
Seth Campbell: I think he will. He gets two extra games this year, and will be the feature back for the entire season. He doesn’t have much proven experience behind him on the depth chart, and the Hogs could lean on the run with an inexperienced quarterback.
Matt Jones: One would think Smith easily hits that number playing 12 games behind a more experienced offensive line and as the No. 1 back. His numbers were strong in most games last season, including games as the feature back the final two weeks against Missouri and Alabama when he averaged 6.6 and 3.6 yards against defenses that allowed 4.5 and 3.3. Maybe more so than any other position, health has to be factored when placing predictions on a running back. Big stats were expected of Rakeem Boyd a year ago, but he rarely appeared to be 100%.
Bob Holt: Assuming Smith stays healthy he should be able to get 700 or more rushing yards. He'll be the No. 1 guy from the get-go.
How ready do you believe Rocket Sanders will be to contribute right away as a freshman?
Tom Murphy: Having just talked to Rocket for a Hog Futures feature, he sounds very eager to earn himself enough playing time to open eyes. Clearly an intriguing prospect as a big back with speed, I think it’s a reach to think he’ll just take right off. At 6-2, he has to train himself to run with lower leverage and be good enough in pass protection to be in on third downs. I’d like to see him get 4-5 carries per game in the early going and if he catches fire, play him more.
Scottie Bordelon: I’ll tell you what, Sanders 100% looks the part. I remember being a bit stunned the first time I saw him in person at a spring practice. I’m not sure looking the part counts for much, but he is put together well and I believe he’s going to factor in in the backfield right away — as long as his pass protection is up to snuff. That’s about the only thing Sam Pittman publicly said the freshman needed to really improve upon. I hope to see him earn some carries and that the staff find ways to get him the ball on the perimeter, too. He’s fun in the open field.
Seth Campbell: I’m intrigued by his size. He is the second heaviest back in the running back room behind Dominique Johnson. The speed of the game is different in college than it is in high school, so if he solves that problem then I think he’ll be given an opportunity to play.
Matt Jones: I think he will be given an opportunity to contribute due to the lack of experience behind Smith. How well will he play against front-line defenders? He ran well and was physical against second and third teamers for most of the spring work that was open to the public.
Bob Holt: Not that running back is easy to play, but it's probably a position where a freshman can contribute the quickest — as long as he can pass protect. So I'd expect Sanders to be in the mix early.
Do you envision a primarily short-yardage/goal-line back role for Dominique Johnson, or something bigger?
Tom Murphy: Primarily short yardage but of course you can’t give that away just by his presence. Plus, I think Trelon Smith is a tremendous short-yardage guy for his size.
Scottie Bordelon: I think that will be the starting point for him, but he’s going to grow enough and show enough to the staff to earn carries on standard downs, in my opinion. He’s one of the bigger-body backs in the room, so I figure he’ll be utilized as such and have the opportunity to see his role expand.
Seth Campbell: I think that’s about all that Johnson will figure in to this year. He is the biggest back on the team, and I see guys like Sanders and Josh Oglesby and Javion Hunt getting opportunities to run the ball in the middle of the field before he does.
Matt Jones: Judging from his past quotes — he said last year he wants to "bring back big backs" — that appears to be his role, but don't be surprised if he breaks off a big gain in a short-yardage situation. He has quick hips for a 240-pound back.
Bob Holt: That's probably a good role for him early in the season at least, though I think he's shown he can play more if needed.
Which player at this position are you most intrigued by or most eager to watch?
Tom Murphy: A caveat here, since we’ve already seen a bit of Sanders and Javion Hunt, along with Johnson, Smith and TJ Hammonds, but I’ll say AJ Green.
Scottie Bordelon: I figure a lot of people will say Sanders or another one of the freshmen, but it’s Trelon Smith for me. He was really terrific for stretches last season and exciting to watch with the ball in his hands. He had his hiccups, too. I want to see how he’s grown from that experience and how he handles being the top dog in the group from the get-go. He has drive, charisma and personality. Others follow dudes like him.
Seth Campbell: I think Oglesby interests me the most. He’s a track and football athlete, that didn’t play last year because of an injury. He’s got some serious speed. He ran the 60-meter dash in 6.74 seconds, which was good for the tenth best time in Arkansas track history. I’m interested to see if offensive coordinator Kendal Briles can find ways to get him in the open field. If so, he could be a serious speed weapon to counter the likes of Treylon Burks.
Matt Jones: High school football is really good — almost Texas-like — in and around Tulsa, so it gets my attention to see numbers like AJ Green recorded at Union High School (1,325 yards, 7.8 yards per carry, 19 touchdowns as a senior). Unlike his classmates Javion Hunt and Raheim Sanders, Green did not go through spring practice with the Razorbacks, so there is intrigue surrounding him during the preseason. How fast can he catch up during camp?
Bob Holt: I'd say Sanders, just because of his speed. I mean, he's nicknamed "Rocket" for a reason, right?