By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- Sutton Smith helped Memphis beat Arkansas last season and now he's trying to win games for the Razorbacks.
As is usually the case, Arkansas was voted last in the 16-team league at the SEC Media Days. Smith says Arkansas has a different culture now than the one that went 2-10 in 2025.
"So I really see the guys who are on the team last year who stayed. I really see them believing in this thing and getting this thing rolling," Smith said. "They're kind of like the stone, because they went through that 2-10 season, but they are really believing, having the faith to turn things around.
"They're taking the workouts that we're doing. They're believing in the strength coaches. I'm seeing them get so much better and getting faster, stronger. Their approach to workouts the right way. They recruited the right guys who are the right fit for the program, who want to take care of the little things. We're holding each other accountable. And it's good to see the leaders stepping up at the right time as the season is approaching."
Smith said he has one season left and he's committed to helping the program get turned around in the right direction.
"I just want to stay committed to my process every day and hopefully the results take care of itself," Smith said. "I want to be the best leader, best teammate I can be. Show up for the team every day, push each other, push the players, and pour into them and build them up so we can come together as one.
"Individual goal I've got for myself is I just want us to win, at the end of the day. That's what the fans need. And we need to get this thing going back on the right track."
While playing in the American Conference at Memphis was special for Sutton, the SEC slogan just seems to mean more.
"Yeah," Sutton said. "That is kind of right. That just shows, like me getting on campus, it really does mean more. We got an all-you-can-eat buffet and so that's really helped me with my nutrition and my gains. You can just feel the energy and the intensity. It's like a lot of passion. And the fan base is really passionate.
"I just came across some fans who were in the lobby waiting on us. It really does mean more, and I can feel it. I can feel it as the season is approaching, and I've got to do my best to be prepared so I can put it on display on the field and the results speak for itself."
Smith will wear jersey No. 5 this season which was once once by Darren McFadden who set various records at Arkansas, runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and Doak Walker Award winner. Smith knows wearing this jersey number holds special meaning.
"I always knew he was a beast," Sutton said. "But he is really a G.O.A.T., he's really the G.O.A.T. of Arkansas football history among running backs. A lot of good running backs he played with too. So it's an honor to run at 5. I look forward to meeting him. Five, the number, means I lot to mean. My birthday is on the 5th. I wore the number 5 at Memphis.
"But when I committed to Arkansas I got a chance to really look into his film. And he's a freak, 6'3", ran 4.3. So I just take some things from his game and try to put it into mine and see what where can be successful. But it's a good thing I'm able to wear that number 5 and I want to represent it the right way and own that ball and do good for the Hogs."
On Saturday, September 5, Smith will run through the A as a member of the Razorbacks. What will it feel like to come out of that home tunnel for the first time?
"Yeah, I'm gonna get goosebumps," Smith said. "I'm a big visualizer, so I've been visualizing ever since I committed. It's on my vision board. I'm ready just to play in front of great atmosphere. The fans are very passionate. Been feeling the love of Fayetteville since I got there.
"I think about go out there versus North Alabama. The ball kickoff and hearing the "woo, pig sooie" chants and just doing what I need to do for the team. And it's gonna be a great feeling. I can't wait."
Smith showed his loyalty and respect for Ryan Silverfield when he followed the head coach from Memphis to Arkansas. Smith talked about the relationship he has with the new Arkansas head coach.
"He really believed in me from the start," Smith said. "He really discovered me early on before I was kind of even a running back. He discovered me when I was a receiver in high school. And he made it known that he wanted me to come play running back.
"And he had a history of coaching some good running backs in the past, running backs who were at Memphis like (Tony) Pollard, (Kenneth) Gainwell and those type of guys. He really set the vision for me and how he would use my skill set. And he honored me. And that relationship we built transferred all the way here to Arkansas.
"I'm believing in him. He believing in me, so I'm riding with him."
Arkansas will begin preseason practice on August 5.
