Arkansas fans have a new name to watch on special teams and it belongs to a running back.
Sutton Smith has quickly become the Razorbacks’ top option at punt returner during fall camp and coordinator Chad Lunsford isn’t shy about why.
Smith already knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands and that history is carrying over to his new role on special teams.
Smith spent last season at Memphis and he didn’t waste his touches. He rushed for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries across 12 games.
He also added 155 kickoff return yards, 125 punt return yards and 109 receiving yards for a total of 1,058 all-purpose yards as a redshirt junior.
Two of his runs went for more than 60 yards including an 84-yard touchdown against East Carolina and a 64-yard score against Arkansas itself.
Now he’s wearing a Hogs uniform and the coaching staff wants to find every way possible to get him the football.
Smith figures to share carries with Braylen Russell in the backfield but his speed and instincts make him tough to leave off special teams too.
How the punt return battle is shaping up
If Arkansas opened the season today Smith would be the guy fielding punts.
Lunsford said the redshirt junior is “electric and he is a playmaker” and that his workload on offense will likely decide how much he’s used elsewhere.
Smith isn’t alone in the mix though. Tay Lockett has caught the ball naturally and has put extra focus into holding onto it after the catch.
John Howse IV has also stood out with smooth hands and solid ball security. Dequane Prevo remains a developmental piece the staff believes can grow into the job even if this isn’t his year.
Newcomer Jelani Watkins looks more natural as a kickoff returner for now but the Razorbacks plan to keep testing him at punt returner too.
Jamari Hawkins rounds out the group and handles other special teams duties as well.
Because Smith may see heavy offensive snaps the staff could lean on him mostly for punt returns while spreading kickoff return work among the other candidates.
That balance keeps him fresh without pulling him away from his primary job at running back.
Special teams competition isn’t limited to the return game either.
Arkansas is also sorting out its kicking situation with Max Gilbert holding the current job while Braeden McAlister’s leg strength gives the staff another option in specific situations.
At punter the Razorbacks are choosing between redshirt freshman Gavin Rush and Cal Poly transfer Jesse, and Lunsford said he thinks Gavin Rush can be really good in this league.
None of those battles carry the buzz that Smith brings though.
His blend of contact balance and top-end speed gives Arkansas a legitimate scoring threat any time he touches the ball, whether that’s on offense or in the punt return game.
The coaching staff clearly sees him as a difference maker and the plan appears to be finding the smartest way to maximize his snaps across every phase.
As fall camp rolls on the Razorbacks will keep sorting out roles behind Smith while leaning on his proven track record to anchor the punt return unit.
Key takeaways
- Sutton Smith is the current front-runner at punt returner and posted 1,058 all-purpose yards last season at Memphis
- Tay Lockett, John Howse IV, Dequane Prevo, Jelani Watkins and Jamari Hawkins are all competing for return snaps behind him
- Arkansas is also sorting out its kicking and punting jobs with Max Gilbert, Braeden McAlister, Gavin Rush and transfer Jesse in the mix
