Slimmed down Braylen Russell ready for big season

FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore running back Braylen Russell was third on the team in rushing during the 2024 season.

Only Ja’Quinden Jackson and Taylen Green had more rushing yardage than Russell. He carried 67 times for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Russell also caught three passes for 18 yards. This spring, Russell has lost weight and is playing at 238 pounds. Following Saturday’s practice in the stadium, Russell talked about how he shed the pounds.

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

Russell wants to continue to shed some weight and has a number in mind.

“I want to get to 230,” Russell said.

Russell said he played at 240 when toting the football for Benton High School. In addition to diet, Russell talked about using the weight room to get rid of unwanted pounds.

“Strengthening muscles that you usually don’t use– you don’t think you’re using but you use,” Russell said. “My knees, I need to get my knees stronger. Leg, lower body stronger. Muscles you know, keeping them strong.”

Russell was running with the first unit on Saturday much as he has done all week. He likes the running back room Kolby Smith has assembled.

“That room’s gonna be special this year with adding Mike (Washington) and AJ Green, a known face here at Arkansas,” Russell said. “We’ve got T-Bird Reed and Rodney Hill. A freshman, (Cam) Settles, too. I feel really good about our room. Think we’re gonna be something special this year. We’re just going out and working every day.”

Russell has taken on more of a leadership role this spring. He credits a pair of older running backs from last season helping prepare him for that role.

“I think it comes natural, but also with the help of Ja’Quinden Jackson last year and Rashod Dubinion,” Russell said. “When I was a young guy last year, they would do the same thing. So just following in their footsteps, what they taught me last year and applying it to my game this year with trying to help the young guys and the dudes that don’t know how things roll here quite yet. As I said, Ja’Quinden Jackson and Rashod Dubinion helping me, that’s what I’m trying to do with them.”

Arkansas just completed its fourth practice of the spring. Russell talked about how the week has gone for him.

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

Sam Pittman and Eric Mateos have rebuilt the offensive line and Russell loves what he has seen from the group he runs behind.

“Offensive line is going to be great,” Russell said. “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.”

One of the newcomers is tackle Shaq McRoy. The Oregon transfer is 6-8, 362. He has been spending a lot of time at right tackle.

“Really big,” Russell said. “Really big, so he’s going to be a really good addition to the O-line. Funny guy. My class, but he’s a redshirt freshman, so he’s going to be good. Other dudes, they’re going to be good, too. I mean, they have the experience of football. I don’t know about the SEC-wise, but they’re going to be good.”

Russell had two really big games in 2024. He and quarterback Malachi Singleton engineered the winning touchdown drive against then No. 4 Tennessee in a stunning 19-14 victory. Russell rushed eight times for 62 yards in the win. His best game was at Mississippi State when Russell carried 16 times for 175 yards and caught one pass for 11 yards. However, injuries limited him after the big game against the Bulldogs.

“Yeah it was difficult, being a young guy and having that big game and then getting hurt then going what do I do from here?,” Russell said. “Gotta rehab, gotta try and get yourself back on the field. So yes it was difficult. But you know having older guys that have been in my shoes and talking me through it, how to get into rehab, good exercises to get back on the field. That was pretty difficult but it was nice to get a taste of what I could be.”

Russell expects big things from quarterback Taylen Green who is set for his second season with the Razorbacks.

“Taylen’s a great guy,” Russell said. “He’s going to be really good year two. I mean, first year in the SEC, quarterback’s first year in the SEC you know, you’re going to have some bumps and bruises through the roads. But you know, year two, I feel like this is going to be a really good year for Taylen Green.”

Arkansas and Russell will hold its spring game on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m.