Arkansas football positional previews: Can running backs bounce back in 2023?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – There are 11 weekends until Arkansas football returns.

The Razorbacks open the 2024 season in Little Rock against UAPB. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30pm (ESPNU) on Thursday, August 29th.

Arkansas is coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign that saw offensive coordinator Dan Enos fired midseason and the eventual departures of KJ Jefferson and Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders, two faces of the program.

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In response, the Hogs signed Bobby Petrino and accessed the transfer portal, bringing in a lot of newcomers for what appears to be a very important season for head coach Sam Pittman.

Over the next month, the Southwest Times Record will feature positional forecasts twice a week, asking two questions and providing one bold prediction. We covered the quarterback position earlier this week.

Here’s a look at the running backs entering 2024.

Is there a clear starter at running back for Arkansas football?

Ja’Quinden Jackson and Rashod Dubinion are the club’s leaders for the starting position. Both players worked with the starting lineup during the spring game, but Jackson controlled most of the carries and scored two touchdowns.

Jackson ran for 797 yards while battling an ankle injury last year at Utah. He only had nine receptions in the backfield, but appeared to be a receiving threat and capable pass blocker during the spring. There has been a revolving door at the starting position in 2023, and Pittman would like some consistency at the position this season.

Dubinion is entering his third year in the program. Everyone struggled behind the offensive line last season, but Dubinion led Arkansas running backs in all-purpose yards and had some good moments in the passing game, including a 14-yard touchdown catch on the road against Alabama.

Jackson enters the fall as the projected starter, but Dubinion will ensure the competition continues throughout camp.

How long until Braylen Russell makes an impact?

The burly freshman was one of Arkansas’ top recruits in the previous cycle and impressed coaches the moment he stepped on campus. With tree trunks for legs, Russell has shown strength between the tackles and some athletic touch on the receiving end this spring.

Russell will be a prominent piece of the offense sometime in 2024, and that could happen early in the season. Luke Hasz received similar hype coming out of his freshman preseason, and the Hogs unleashed the dynamic tight end against BYU in their first major matchup of 2023. Russell could be on a similar schedule.

A bold prediction: Hogs increase rushing output by 1,000 yards

The Hogs have rushed for 1,668 yards in 2023. The year before, Arkansas ranked eighth in the nation with 3,075 yards.

The offensive line, a new offensive coordinator and better luck with injuries will propel Arkansas to a season total closer to 2022 production. After the top three, Arkansas has quality depth with FSU transfer Rodney Hill.

Petrino will look for explosive plays in the passing game, but a robust ground attack will still be the backbone of the offense under Pittman. Arkansas will rush for over 2,675 yards, which would have ranked 22nd in the country last year.

What the coaches said this spring

Projected Depth Chart

• Ja’Quinden Jackson, redshirt senior

• Rashod Dubinion, junior

• Braylen Russell, freshman

• Rodney Hill, redshirt sophomore

• Tyrell Reed Jr., sophomore

This article originally appeared in the Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football positional previews: Can running backs bounce back in 2023?