Physicality has been the emphasis for Arkansas in fall camp, and the message being delivered in the from running backs coach Kolby Smith is for his backfield to “be violent.”
The Razorbacks have a complimentary blend of speed and power in the backfield with the likes of transfer senior Ja’Quinden Jackson (6-2, 233) and freshman Braylen Russell (6-1, 253) packing a potent punch in the physicality department.
“We definitely have to be more dominant,” Smith said. “I need them to take great ownership in what we do at our position. As I’m always saying, we have to earn our respect daily. No one is going to give it to us.”
It is fair to assume the expectation for the backs will be to get downhill north to south as opposed to dancing east to west, and when the opportunity is there to send a message, Smith wants the Hogs to deliver emphatically.
“So, when we’re on the sideline, which I think is the most violent running on that part of the field, we need to be violent with it,” he said.
“Because sometimes the defender is out there coming to approach you, and they may shy away from you, but what we’re trying to do at that moment is send a message to the next team.”
Smith, who rushed for over 1,800 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns to go along with 56 receptions for 500 yards and another pair of scores at Louisville and was a fifth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, is not far removed from practicing exactly what he preaches.
In fact, when asked who Arkansas’ most violent runner is, Smith, with a smile, showed his competitive side.
“Probably me when I turn the film on of my old clips,” Smith said.
Arkansas will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 when it travels to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock (Ark.) to face UAPB. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT).