Arkansas Football: Chad Morris’ new offense directly benefits Devwah Whaley

With quite a few concerns to be addressed for Arkansas football this off-season for Chad Morris, Devwah Whaley’s progress looks to be one less worry.

Arkansas football had a very interesting spring game in line for April 7, with first-year head coach Chad Morris at the helm. A new look offense for the Razorbacks kept all eyes on what the quarterbacks and running backs would be able to do given the new scheme.

Morris had a very successful offensive tenure with the SMU Mustangs, before departing for Fayetteville, Ark., back in Dec. 2017. He has plans to spread out the Arkansas offense, and update it more to the modern era compared to what was done under former head coach Bret Bielema, who focused more on just the ground and pound aspect behind a huge offensive line.

The supposed starting running back for the Hogs entering the 2018 regular season is rising junior (and former four-star recruit) Devwah Whaley. Other running backs that should make a mark includes Chase Hayden, T.J. Hammonds, and Maleek Williams.

You could see a lot more holes that could open up for Whaley this year, with the new scheme under Morris, compared to the 2017 campaign. Whaley had a very promising show out during the spring game.

As long as the quarterback can help steady the offense this season, the running backs will fare a lot better for the Hogs this time around. Whaley was expected to have a huge 2017 season, and had nothing of the sorts.

The quarterback battle looks to fall between Cole Kelley, Ty Storey and incoming freshman Connor Noland. The situation with the running backs is more set in stone than with the quarterbacks. Although he had a down season in 2017, Whaley is still a proven rusher that looks to have more success in 2018.

Next: 3 biggest questions facing Arkansas this spring

Bringing Morris into the mix in Fayetteville should do nothing but benefit Whaley. He’s a strong and versatile rusher, that could figure more into the passing game in 2018. The way the Arkansas offense will spread out opposing defenses more in 2018 allows more rushing room for all the running backs. Whaley could have a huge 1,000 yard season this year, if the spring game was any indication.