FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas has a deep running back room and a new coach as they prepare for the 2024 season,
Arkansas completed its sixth practice of the spring on Tuesday. Kolby Smith has replaced Jimmy Smith and the team has five scholarship running backs. Returning backs Rashod Dubinion, Isaiah Augustave and Dominique Johnson have been joined by Utah transfer Ja'Quinden Jackson and Benton's Braylen Russell, a true freshman.
Jackson, 6-2, 235, is a redshirt senior who topped the Utah running chart last season. He carried 161 times for 797 yards and four touchdowns. He caught nine passes for 53 yards. The former standout quarterback at Duncanville (Texas) High School talked about his journey that has landed him with the Hogs.
"Like my mama told me, everybody’s journey is different," Jackson said. "Like, some people will be three and done, some people will be five, six. So I’m just taking the journey and staying on the path that God wanted me to be on. I’m just taking it day by day and step by step.
"The journey has been fun. I’ve met plenty of great guys and we’ve built friendships, brotherhood. It’s been a long journey, but hopefully this year will be my last year in college football. I pray to God it is. Can’t do another fall camp. It’s been great. I’ve loved the journey. The progress has been great."
Jackson enrolled at Arkansas in January. He has since seen his running back coach Jimmy Smith leave for another school, but replaced by Kolby Smith who both played and coached in the NFL. Smith, Bobby Petrino and Sam Pittman have all made a positive impression on Jackson.
"It’s definitely been fun," Jackson said. "Just meeting new guys, a new program, new coaches. Coach Petrino, Coach Smith, Coach Pittman, they’ve brought me in with open arms and let me know, basically telling me I’m going to be one of the guys to help win.
"We’ve got some amazing guys on this team, that I feel like we can pull it off this year."
Johnson heard all the injury jokes when he opted to leave Utah and enter the transfer portal. He reflected back on 2023 and what he went through to even have the year he had.
"A lot of people don’t know that I was hurt all last year," Jackson said. "When I went into the portal, there were a whole lot of jokes, ‘Aw, he’s got paper ankles.’ This and that.
"It was funny. I laughed at it. But people talk about it from the outside looking in. They don’t really know what I had to go through last season for me to get those 700 yards and score touchdowns. It was a struggle every week battling with this injury. Because it went from my ankle to my foot. It was bad. But everything happens for a reason."
Jackson explained that it wasn't a high ankle sprain that he suffered last season.
"It was a low ankle sprain, then it went to my tendon in my foot," Jackson said. "And my tendon in my foot kind of came off the bone. So it was something that I really couldn’t do. Like, I had to let it heal. That’s why last year I didn’t play the Oregon State game because it got too bad. I couldn’t walk. So, like I said everybody had their opinion about me but they don’t really know what goes on."
Jackson talked about Kolby Smith and what he's like as a coach.
"Cool guy," Jackson said. "Cool guy. He definitely knows what he’s talking about when it comes to football. He’s kind of like taking little steps, just trying to get to know everybody. Like today we’re going to have dinner with each other just talking. He’s definitely one of those guys that I could definitely see myself trusting and playing with, I mean under."
It's obvious that Kolby Smith inherited a strong room from Jimmy Smith. The depth and talent are plentiful.
"It’s been great," Jackson said. "Like you say, it’s a lot of talent in that room. Each and every one of those guys can run the ball, catch the ball. It helps me put my best foot forward every day."
Taylen Green is the new quarterback and transferred in from Boise State. He too is from Texas. Jackson was asked if he knew Green before Arkansas?
"We weren’t buddies, but I knew of him because of high schools and playoffs and stuff like that," Jackson said. "Taylen, he’s doing a great job. Everybody is still learning the playbook, so of course we’re having communication issues a little bit. Not as much, but telling him ‘Tell me when this is such and such.’ But he’s doing an awesome job. Big. Fast. I’ve never seen nobody that tall that can run. He can run. It’s going to be a crazy duo this year."
Jackson admitted that every once in awhile his quarterback urge returns and he throws with Petrino watching.
"Nah, I still got it," Jackson said. "I show him every now and then after practice that I still got it. I’m not trying to do all of that. I’m just trying to get better at this running back stuff. I’m still learning certain stuff. So I wasn’t trying to do it.”\
The Hogs will practice Thursday and then hold a scrimmage Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. The scrimmage will be open to the public.
The Hogs will practice Thursday and then hold a scrimmage Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. The scrimmage will be open to the public. Fans wishing to attend Saturday’s open practice can park in Lot 44 (north of the stadium) for free and enter Gate 14 on the northeast side of the stadium beginning at 8:30 a.m. Fan seating will be located on the east side of the stadium only. No concession stands will be open but outside food and drinks will be allowed.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action
