The portal giveth and the portal taketh. Fortunately, this time, it was the former.
Former Florida State running back Rodney Hill decided to call the Hogs on Friday afternoon. Hill is the first player to commit to the Hogs following the spring practice.
Former Florida State running back Rodney Hill has committed to Arkansas, according to agent Joe Hernandez of Just Win Management Group. Hill played two years at FSU, redshirting as a true freshman in 2022. In his FSU career, he accounted for 417 yards from scrimmage and two TDs. pic.twitter.com/aoaZ3Hbw1o
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 19, 2024
While at Florida State, Hill accumulated 334 rush yards on 77 carries for 4.3 yards a carry and two touchdowns. He also gained 83 yards through the air on five receptions.
Arkansas initially offered Hill when he entered the portal back in December. He had a visit scheduled but canceled shortly after Utah transfer Ja'Quinden Jackson committed, per Danny West of HogSports. After committing to Florida A&M — and then Miami, Hill saw another chance to become a Hog.
Just a few days before his commitment, the Hogs took a huge blow to the running back room when Isaiah Augustave left the day after the spring game. With Augustave on the team, Arkansas was massive. All running backs except Rashod Dubinion were over 6-foot-1-inch tall and 200 pounds.
The 5-foot-10-inch 190-pounder adds another small shifty back to the team. In Bobby Petrino's offense, having more than one change-of-pace back will be helpful with the increased importance of running backs in the passing game.
— RODNEY Hill (lil Rod🌪️) (@rodney_hill10) December 13, 2023