Arkansas Football: 3 things to watch in 2022 spring game

2 of 3

Jan 1, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Raheim Sanders (5) rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

2. A legitimate running back battle

Sam Pittman has a few positions to sort out this spring and one of the most important ones is running back.

The Razorbacks are down their leading running back from last year in Trelon Smith who decided to enter the transfer portal this offseason and eventually wound up at TCU. He had the most carries on the team but felt like he would be splitting too much in 2022.

Raheim Sanders returns as the projected RB1 after rushing for 578 yards and five touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry last season. He split carries with Smith and had a very similar line. It’ll be interesting to see if he can hang on to that RB1 job that he’s projected to win or if someone like Dominique Johnson or AJ Green can steal it.

Johnson had 575 yards and seven touchdowns last season and many believe he has a higher ceiling than Sanders as RB1. He averaged an impressive 5.9 yards per carry.

Lastly, Green had 227 yards and a touchdown, averaging just under 5.0 yards per carry as a freshman. He may be looked at as the dark-horse here, but he’s every bit as talented.

This is a legit three-man race for the starting job and it’s wide open.

Home/Arkansas Razorbacks