Running back group impresses Bobby Petrino

FAYETTEVILLE — Bobby Petrino is starting his second season as offensive coordinator for Arkansas.

A position that has caught his attention is running back. Braylen Russell is among the returning running backs and he has definitely made improvements following a very good freshman season. Russell rushed 67 times for 354 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. He also caught three passes for 18 yards.

“I like the group a lot,” Petrino said. “Braylen has done a really nice job getting his weight down. He’s faster, he’s quicker, he’s been able to play longer without getting fatigued. I want to see his explosiveness. Unfortunately we got our scrimmage canceled last week because of weather and having to go inside, but I’m looking forward to seeing his explosiveness at that weight and how well he can come out of tackles and make yards after contact.

“Braylen, I remember him in high school, they ran tight end routes with him and his ability to jump and turn and he’s been showing that this spring for us, too.”

Another running back who has caught Petrino’s attention is New Mexico State transfer Mike Washington Jr. In 2024, Washington rushed 157 times for 725 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught nine passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.

“I really like Mike Washington,” Petrino said. “He’s got great size, he sees things and he’s explosive. I think we have a chance to make big plays. He also catches the ball real well, as does Braylen, out of the backfield.”

The Hogs have other running backs who are trying to crack playing time among the group.

“Rodney’s (Hill) still a really good player,” Petrino said. “He’s gotta be able to stay healthy. That’s the issue right there. He’s a smaller guy and he does get hit hard, so he needs to just be able to stay healthy and we’ll have a good role for him, both in the run game and the pass game because he can do both of them very well.

“After that we’ve got Tyrell (Reed) and he’s done a good job. I think his speed needs to show up more. I thought that was one of the things that when we were practicing for the bowl game, where he got more and more reps, is his speed starting to show up. In high school, he was a very good 100-meter runner. Did a great job running track. It finally showed up in preparation for the bowl, so he’s gotta continue to get that.”

AJ Green transferred back to Arkansas after one year at Oklahoma State. Green played three years for the Hogs before leaving for the 2024 season. In 2023, Green rushed 67 times for 312 yards and two touchdowns. He caught six passes for 25 yards and a touchdown.

“AJ Green is a young man that I didn’t know a lot about,” Petrino said. “I like him a lot. He’s very calm back there, he helps the quarterbacks a lot, he’s made plays running the ball. We do need to get him in with the 1s and the 2s a little bit to see if he can still make those same plays running the football. But he sees things and he cuts. Then the other thing we’re working hard with him is he needs to show his track speed on the field, too. He was a low 100-meter guy that we haven’t see that burst and finish yet on the field.

“I like Cam Settles a lot. Cam’s big, he’s strong, he’s shown he can pass protect and that’s the first thing as a young guy that gets you in the game, is your ability to protect the quarterback. So I’ve liked the way he’s played when he’s been in there.”

Arkansas will scrimmage on Thursday afternoon.