Running game will include several new faces in fall

By Jerry Meadows

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks in 2025 came into spring practice with a rushing attack missing half of its production from 2024. 

Ja’Quinden Jackson (790 rushing yards in 2024) had graduated, and Rashod Dubinion (335 rushing yards) had transferred to Appalachian State. Arkansas’ leading rusher returning for the 2025 season would be their QB, Taylen Green (602 yards).

At running back for 2025, Arkansas would be missing most of its production from the previous season. (6’1” 237), Sophomore Braylen Russell had 354 yards, (5’10” 195), redshirt junior Rodney Hill 184 yards, and (5’10” 208) redshirt sophomore Tyrell Reed Jr. 36 yards are the remaining RBs with any SEC experience.

After a year at Oklahoma State, redshirt senior A J Green (5’10” 210) would return to Arkansas in 2025. Green rushed for 312 yards for Arkansas in 2023.

The remaining RBs without SEC experience are junior Mike Washington Jr from New Mexico State, redshirt freshman JuJu Pope (6’0″ – 216), and freshman Cam Settles (5’11” 204) from Little Rock Parkview.

With Russell presently 17 lbs lighter than last year, he should be a step or two faster in 2025. Braylen said he made several changes this spring.

(Braylen, you’re lighter, how’s spring going?)

RUSSELL: “Spring’s going good so far. Dropping my weight down, trying to take things serious this year weight-wise and playbook-wise. That’s going really well for me.“

(What does taking your weight more seriously look like?)

RUSSELL: “Cutting out fast food, late-night snacks and all that. I used to get hungry and just go eat, where now I’m more disciplined, trying to drop weight.”

Russell wants to get to 230 lbs by next fall practice. He also realizes he will be the leader in the backfield for the rest of the RB room. When asked a question about leadership he said:

RUSSELL: “I think it comes natural, but also with the help of Ja’Quinden Jackson last year, and Rashod Dubinion. When I was a young guy last year, they would do the same thing. So me just following in their footsteps with what they taught me last year and applying it …“

The one thing that gives optimism for the rushing attack for Arkansas in 2025 is the O-line. Russell also seems excited about the O-line too.

(New faces on the offensive line… any thoughts?)

RUSSELL: “Offensive line is going to be great. I mean, we hang out all the time. Our lockers are right beside each other, we’re talking every day. I mean, I can see what they see because we watch film together, so we’re becoming tighter together this year. The O-line is going to be an amazing group. We just gotta go to work. Like I said, it’s all about the work.”

As with previous years, the Razorbacks have several unknowns as spring practice will soon be in the books. The one obvious improvement this year from last is the depth on the offensive line. The Razorbacks will be bigger, more experienced, and stronger.

With seven RBs for 2025, Arkansas has speed and size with Russell and Washington in the backfield. How the depth chart will pan out remains to be seen. My dark horse candidate to have a surprise season next year is Ju Ju Pope.

Arkansas will conclude spring practice two weeks from Saturday in the Red/White game on April 19, 2025.