Started By
Message
tFlagship's 2014 RB trio = McFadden, Jones and Hillis?
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:35 pm
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:35 pm
LINK
quote:
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Brandon Allen was in junior high when Arkansas' greatest collection of backfield talent ran its way through the Southeastern Conference.
The Razorbacks quarterback and Fayetteville native remembers well the accolades earned in college by future NFL running backs Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis.
And Allen isn't shying away from the potential he sees in Arkansas' current backfield of Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins and Korliss Marshall to rival their predecessors' accomplishments.
"They very well could," Allen said.
For a team coming off a 3-9 season in its first year under coach Bret Bielema, the hope brought by Williams, Collins and Marshall — who combined to rush for 2,072 yards last season — is very real for the Razorbacks.
The three have also given Arkansas a clear identity leading into its second season under Bielema, a welcomed sense after the school's first winless conference season since joining the SEC in 1992.
Bielema had standout running backs in his seven seasons at Wisconsin, highlighted by 2012 Doak Walker award winner Montee Ball. He also preferred a stable of ball carriers during his time with the Badgers, and this season's returning group has provided him with a much higher comfort level than last year.
"I feel a lot better," Bielema said. "For those of you that didn't know, I like good running backs."
The Razorbacks were third in the SEC last season with an average of 208.7 yards rushing per game, and they were led by Collins' 1,026 yards. Collins also led Arkansas in attempts as a freshman, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, but he had plenty of help from Williams — who rushed for 900 yards while averaging 6 yards per carry.
As good as the duo was last season, even more is expected this year out of Collins as a sophomore and Williams as a junior. They are fine with that.
"We just kind of push each other, because we're not satisfied just for being great," Collins said. "We want to be the best; that's what we strive for."
What Collins provides in shiftiness as a runner, and Williams in power, Arkansas' largely unknown member of its big three — Marshall — provides in flat-out explosiveness.
The sophomore didn't receive nearly the recruiting hype as Collins and he split most of last season between safety and running back. When his opportunity came on offense, he literally ran with it. Marshall gained 586 all-purpose yards for Arkansas last season, largely in kickoff returns. However, he also averaged 8.6 yards per carry in limited action and was moved to full-time running back in the offseason.
"It's really nice ... to have three legitimate starters," running backs coach Joel Thomas said. "The best thing right now that we have going for that room is competition, and it's just making each other get better in everyday activities."
Despite the abundance of talent at one position, the running backs all believe there will be plenty of carries to go around this season.
"If you're not getting the ball, that means you're not the hot guy and you don't have too much to complain about if you're not the hot guy," Williams said.
They've also heard the comparisons to McFadden, Jones and Hillis, though Williams shies away from the hype. He'd prefer to first concentrate on returning the Razorbacks to a bowl game for the first time since 2011 and let the attention follow.
"They're a unique group, and we're trying to set our own trends, trying to have our own name," Williams said. "But it's definitely an honor being compared to them."
This post was edited on 8/10/14 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:46 pm to hawgfaninc
The Hogs are my second favorite team, but, no...
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:46 pm to hawgfaninc
RBU
This post was edited on 8/10/14 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:47 pm to hawgfaninc
They're good for sure and all will play in the NFL most likely but none of the three are on DMac's level.
This post was edited on 8/10/14 at 12:48 pm
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:50 pm to TheCheshireHog
They will be our best RB group since then but no one will ever be as good as them IMO
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:52 pm to TheCheshireHog
quote:
but none of the three are on DMac's level.
KMarsh is the closest to DMac's level. but yea he's definitely below Dmac.
will be interesting to see if KMarsh is able to get closer to Dmac's level this year
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:53 pm to hawgfaninc
yea, none of those 3 are at McFadden, Jones, or Hillis levels yet.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 12:55 pm to hawgfaninc
Its definitely going to be interesting to see how they divvy up the carries this year.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:14 pm to hawgfaninc
quote:
KMarsh
Not sure if serious.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:24 pm to CtotheVrzrbck
quote:
yea, none of those 3 are at McFadden, Jones, or Hillis levels yet.
I'll agree with DMac and Felix, but Hillis wasn't that great in college. He got good in the NFL, and then people started lumping him in with DMac and Felix retroactively. Hillis never had more than 350 yards rushing in a season at Arkansas. Didn't even break 1,000 yards in his whole career. He actually had more receiving yards than rushing yards.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:32 pm to hawgfaninc
Just stop with the stupidity...
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:33 pm to TigerBait2008
quote:
Just stop with the stupidity...
won't be saying that when we run it down your throat
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:34 pm to TigerBait2008
DMAC is one of the greatest college players I've ever seen in person. I doubt any of the 3 ever reach his level.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:43 pm to tlsu15
It's crazy that y'all averaged that many yards per game on the ground last year. Y'all for sure will run for more this year. Lot of talent toting the rock in Fayetteville. Even crazier that we out rushed y'all by almost 140 yards per game.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:49 pm to Stonehog
quote:
I'll agree with DMac and Felix, but Hillis wasn't that great in college
He was great as a FB, if he didn't happen to be here at the same time as the other two then I think he could have been a damn good RB himself
Posted on 8/10/14 at 2:13 pm to Gladius Veritas
quote:
won't be saying that when we run it down your throat
Posted on 8/10/14 at 2:15 pm to LSU_Saints_Hornets
LSU's weakness is at DT, our strength is running it up the middle. Now, I know you're from Louisiana so thinking may be a little hard for you, but it's pretty obvious what's going to happen
This post was edited on 8/10/14 at 2:16 pm
Posted on 8/10/14 at 2:17 pm to Stonehog
Hillis returned punts, none of our current 3 do. Jones and DMac were electric on KO's. Only KM has shown the ability to run em back for 40.
Posted on 8/13/14 at 6:37 pm to Gladius Veritas
quote:
LSU's weakness is at DT
Our perceived weakness is far superior than your strengths
Case and point QB
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News