With the news Tuesday that Hogs’ running back Rakeem Boyd was opting out of the remainder of the season, Trelon Smith said he’s ready to step up.
Morgan on Odom’s impact on defense, previewing rivalry game with Missouri
Razorbacks linebacker Grant Morgan said Tuesday the impact by defensive coordinator Barry Odom has been huge, talked about Saturday’s game.
Franks confident Smith ready to pick up void left by Boyd’s declaring for draft
Hogs quarterback Feleipe Franks told the media Tuesday after practice Rakeem Boyd made decision best for him opting out of remaining games.
Just winning any trophy game a boost for Razorbacks this year, says Pool
Hogs linebacker Bumper Pool told the media Tuesday evening after practice the game with Missouri definitely a rivalry game … at least to players.
Boyd won’t finish season with Hogs, declaring he’s available for NFL
Rakeem Boyd has declared for the NFL Draft, which means he won’t be playing in the final two regular-season games or a bowl game at Arkansas.
Whether NFL teams think that’s a good idea nobody knows.
Boyd made the announcement with a tweet Tuesday afternoon:
— Rakeem boyd ™ (@boyd_rakeem) December 1, 2020
What the reason is for it is a mystery nobody will know the answer to for awhile, but it is a change from his tone in the preseason when his teammates elected him a captain.
“I came back to go establish something, so opting out wasn’t even in the talk,” Boyd said before the season started. “I couldn’t even do that to my team.”
Instead, after a surprising slow start to his senior season, Boyd has decided to quit on his team with three games left to play.
“I will be preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Boyd said in the tweet.
That’s the key phrase. Not skipping the last two games due to health concerns for himself or his family, but to prepare for the NFL Draft where he won’t be picked on the first day, probably not the second and could be forced to go the free agent route.
Boyd is a good guy, jovial and pleasant when he’s been around the media. When healthy, he’s had bursts of good play, especially last season when he ran for 1,133 yards and had himself among the top running backs in the conference.
This year he’s battled injuries (which he’s done throughout his time with the Razorbacks). Boyd has 309 yards this season and really hasn’t looked full speed since suffering an injury in the second game against Mississippi State.
Trelon Smith’s emergence has provided a little production at running back this season, but depth is now going to be an issue. T.J. Hammonds was moved back to running back and is a big play type but the Hogs don’t have anybody reliable to get 3 yards on a fourth-and-2 play … unless quarterback Feleipe Franks does it.
Part of it is inexperience in the offensive line.
Don’t be surprised to see more plays with wide receiver Treylon Burks lined up in the backfield, but this team is getting two-thirds of the total offense through the air.
And that probably won’t be changing anytime soon.
Neighbors previews getting back on court against ULM, then hosting Baylor
Hogs coach Mike Neighbors talked with the media Tuesday afternoon about facing Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday, then defending champ Baylor.
Bud Light Seltzer Morning Rush Podcast – Where is Mizzou as an Arkansas rival?
Tye & Tommy on the Mizzou rivalry, Bielema news, on Rakeem Boyd, plus National Pie Day!
Carroll on Hogs’ problem next season at quarterback with Franks gone
Pig Trail Nation’s Jason Carroll feels Arkansas will have to bring in another grad transfer at quarterback for next season if they can get one, he said on Halftime with Phil Elson, Matt Jenkins and Matt Travis on ESPN Arkansas.
Musselman previews Hogs’ home matchup Wednesday with UT-Arlington
Hogs coach Eric Musselman met with the media Monday afternoon to take a look at the game with the Mavericks, review first two games of season.
