Arkansas Football: 3 ways to improve from 2017 season

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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 28: Devwah Whaley #21 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball up the middle during a game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Hemingway Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2. Devwah Whaley, Chase Hayden are healthy and ready to go

With the senior versatile running back David Williams out of eligibility, a lot of weight falls on the shoulders of rising junior Devwah Whaley. Rising sophomore star rusher Chase Hayden will also make a big impact if he stays healthier than during his freshman campaign.

Whaley was a sought after five-star recruit that had a solid freshman season in 2016. However, 2017 did not go as planned for the talented Beaumont, TX, native. An area that Whaley did show progress was with his rushing touchdowns, with seven this year. Last year, Whaley only posted three touchdowns on the ground, despite averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

If Whaley can get his yards per carry back up between five or six, he’ll be in good shape to notch his first 1,000-yard season rushing. The way Whaley looked in the wins over the New Mexico State Aggies and Coastal Carolina, combining for more than 200 yards is how Arkansas needs him to show up in 2018.

Arkansas needs a balanced offense to get into a good groove and keep opposing defenses on their toes. Hayden provides a great change of pace to Whaley. In three of his first four career appearances, Hayden rushed for at least one touchdown. He also averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry. Hayden is a breakout candidate, at running back in the SEC, next year.

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