Arkansas Razorbacks with plenty of options to replace Jonathan Williams

Oct 25, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fullback Kody Walker (24) rushes against the UAB Blazers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated UAB 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Kody Walker

The 2010 Wisconsin team, for those who are not familiar, featured three future NFL running backs with James White, Montee Ball and John Clay. All three put up over 2800 yards in one season that accounted for over 40 touchdowns and were surrounded by a plethora of big time NFL talent. With the amount of talent on the offensive side of the ball this season for Arkansas, the similarities are apparent to the 2010 Wisconsin team.

Arkansas fans got better acquainted with the Jefferson City, Missouri native after the spring game where he racked up 174 yards rushing on 26 carries and three touchdowns. In fact, I would dare to say the spring game started the trend, for fans and media alike, that Arkansas potentially could have had a three-headed monster in the backfield similar to Bielema’s 2010 Wisconsin team with added caveat of playing in the SEC this time around.

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As luck would have it, Walker has had his fair share of injuries over the course of his career at Arkansas, including breaking his leg in the second game of the 2012 season versus Louisiana-Monroe and in 2011 after three games into the season he dealt with another set of season-ending injuries.

Hence the reason he was recently granted another year of eligibility due to medical hardship by the NCAA making Walker eligible through the 2016 season. Walker will have to put an emphasis on staying healthy this season to have a breakout year and to help the Razorbacks continue to break through the SEC west.

After meeting up with the coaches and players at Arkansas’ media day I learned Walker has beefed up to about 258 pounds while showing the same explosiveness we all saw at the spring game. Standing at 6-foot-2 that’s a lot of steak and potatoes coming at you on Saturdays.

He makes for a great change of pace back for Arkansas and can really help to wear down a defense with his physical style of play as we all saw when he trucked DeAndre Coley in the spring game. Walker would have made a solid third option this season and, in fact, it was rumored coming out of spring he could have possibly taken some carries away from the two star backs as the season progressed.

Look for Walker, a hybrid fullback/running back, to lighten the load for Collins and true freshman Rawleigh Williams in 2015.

Next: Rawleigh Williams III