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Arkansas Football: Devwah Whaley can use bye week to get back on track

By Andrew Miller

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 9: Devwah Whaley #21 of the Arkansas Razorbacks leaps his own man during a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Horn Frogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 9: Devwah Whaley #21 of the Arkansas Razorbacks leaps his own man during a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Horn Frogs defeated the Razorbacks 28-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Arkansas football program has a potential breakout star on their hands in sophomore Devwah Whaley if he can plays well during the SEC slate.

The Arkansas Razorbacks do have some kinks to work out after their 21-point loss to the No. 20 ranked TCU Horned Frogs. However, positive signs have come from the young stable of running backs that the Razorbacks have to work with. The focal point of that running back group is sophomore Devwah Whaley.

To start with, true freshman Chase Hayden had himself quite the game in Week 1 in Arkansas’s win over the Florida A&M Rattlers. Hayden rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in his Arkansas debut.

The most efficient Arkansas rusher in Week 2 was former USC transfer David Williams who totaled 65 yards on 10 carries. Williams is a very versatile running back that can both catch passes and rack up consistent yards on the ground as a workhorse.

Whaley was the projected starter entering the season and should still get the bulk of the carries in the upcoming weeks. He got the most touches in the TCU game, with one more than Williams received. Whaley is also the most promising back on the Arkansas roster.

Head coach Bret Bielema does have a decision to make whether he starts Williams or Whaley or maybe even going with Hayden. The Texas A&M Aggies are next up on Sep. 23 after the Razorbacks bye week. It will be their first SEC matchup of the year.

Texas A&M boasts quite the rushing attack, led by Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford. The one positive takeaway from the Aggies’ season so far has been their running backs. Yet, Arkansas has the depth in the ground game to match Texas A&M every step of the way.

Next: Chase Hayden has bright future ahead

Hopefully, we see some improvement from Whaley in Week 4, coming off a 32-yard performance in Week 2. As a former four-star recruit hotly contested on the recruiting trail, Whaley has the talent to still have a big season.

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