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Arkansas Football: Former “Last Chance U” RB Rakeem Boyd the answer for Razorbacks

By Andrew Miller

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 6: Rakeem Boyd #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the second half during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Razorback Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabamai. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 65-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 6: Rakeem Boyd #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the second half during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Razorback Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabamai. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 65-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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With sole possession of the starting running back role for Arkansas football for a few weeks now, Rakeem Boyd can make this offense go.

A rough start to the new era for Arkansas football under first-year head coach Chad Morris is getting better of late. Arkansas football hit a low point with the back-to-back losses to Group of Five opponents this season in losing to both the Colorado State Rams and North Texas Mean Green. The loss to North Texas also came by the final score of 44-17.

However, over the course of the last three weeks, Arkansas is putting up a much better fight in SEC play. At least the Razorbacks are living up to the competition this year giving three quality opponents in the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, No. 17 Texas A&M Aggies, and Ole Miss Rebels all tough tests to some degree.

Although Arkansas let up more than 60 points to the Crimson Tide, it also put up the most points of any offense this season against them. One of the reasons for this resurgence from the Razorbacks is the Independence Community College (“Last Chance U”) JUCO transfer running back in Rakeem Boyd.

With junior running back Devwah Whaley out for at least a few weeks after ankle surgery, Boyd took center stage as the starter in the backfield for Arkansas. His speed and strength allows him to be an every down back for the Razorbacks.

For two weeks straight, Boyd has more than 100 rushing yards. He now totals more than 400 rushing yards on the season without being the starter most of the way. Boyd also has more than 130 receiving yards in the past four outings to give some versatility to the Arkansas passing game.

At this point, Arkansas carries a 1-6 (0-4 SEC) record into a Week 8 matchup with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. This should be an obvious opportunity for the Razorbacks to get the second win of the 2018 campaign and for Boyd to have his best individual performance of the season.

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The former Texas A&M commit Boyd is also looking to add to his rushing touchdown total against Tulsa. He has only one on the season despite possessing the skill set to be a potent red zone back. A chance to put up some points against Tulsa can give him one or two in the same outing.

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