Razorbackers
Fansided

Arkansas Razorbacks Football: Running Back Position

By Tommy Tabler

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 14: Rakeem Boyd #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Colorado State Rams at Razorback Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rams 55-34. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 14: Rakeem Boyd #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Colorado State Rams at Razorback Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rams 55-34. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Before the Arkansas Razorbacks kickoff on September 26th it is important to lay out the key position.

The Arkansas Razorbacks will rely heavily on the running back position this season and it will be a position that Sam Pittman and his staff will rely upon. We will examine some of the options that Arkansas has at the running back position and get a sense of the depth that the Razorbacks have at the running back position.

Rakeem Boyd will be the starting tailback for the Hogs, when Arkansas kicks off the season against the Georgia Bulldogs. In 2019, Boyd displayed plenty of explosiveness, while rushing for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns. Arkansas fans should look for Boyd to carry the ball around 20 times a game this season. Boyd being able to shoulder the load of the offense a bit more will be key to keeping the offense out of third and long in what is a brutal SEC schedule.

Arkansas will be leaning on Trelon Smith to spell Rakeem Boyd at times this season. Smith should have plenty of tread on the tires after only rushing 11 times for 56 yards, during his stint with the Arizona State Sun Devils. Coming out of high school Smith was ranked the nation’s number nine all purpose back. Smith will likely see plenty of touches when Boyd needs a rest.

The three remaining running backs that will have a chance to earn some playing time are A’Montae Spivey, Josh Oglesby, and Dominique Johnson. Oglesby is a player that has impressive speed and could see the field at some point this season. Oglesby was a 2019 first team All-American in the 4 x 100-meter relay. Arkansas has not had that kind of speed in some time on the field and it will be all hands-on deck as the Razorbacks run the gauntlet this season.

We will continue to break down the Arkansas roster as we get closer to kickoff on September 26th. Arkansas has talented players, but the depth is a question mark as we will see over the next series of articles.

Home/Football