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Sunday, August 25, 2019 19 NWA College Football Preview 2019 Running back Once again, this is a deep crew at a spot that takes a pounding. Rakeem Boyd said he's back at full strength after rotator cuff and labrum issues caused him pain last season and led to even- tual surgery. Boyd, a junior, is easily a 1,000-yard talent if he played in a system that allowed him 20-25 carries per game. However, the presence of senior Devwah Whaley, who is also fit after injuries slowed him in 2018, and juniors Chase Hayden and T.J. Hammonds should take some of the load off of Boyd. Whaley is in great shape and hoping to cap his career in a bowl game. Hayden had some eye-opening performances in 2017 be- fore a leg injury. He and Hammonds are the top home run threats. Hammonds missed spring ball while on academic hiatus and needs to show maturity. Receiver Breakout players wanted. The group doesn't have a returning talent with great productivity, and the loss of senior Deon Stewart for a lengthy period of time in the second camp scrimmage is a blow. There's still SEC-level speed in De'Vion Warren and Jordan Jones, the most expe- rienced active players in the room now. Koilan Jackson seemed to be in position to make a jump before his previous knee injury led to cleanup arthroscopic sur- gery. The veterans are in competition with a four-man, four-star WR signing class. The 6-4 Trey Knox had a standout spring, and if he emerges as a freshman, his exuberant persona will help turn him into a household name around the SEC. Treylon Burks is showing few effects from last year's knee surgery and made some tremendous catches early in camp. Speedsters Shamar Nash and T.Q. Jack- son are the other freshmen battling to make the travel roster. Walk-on Tyson Morris has been a steady contributor in practice since his arrival and his role should grow in the slot behind Warren. Tight end Senior Cheyenne O'Grady might miss a week or two of the season after minor knee surgery Aug. 14. O'Grady, who says all the right things in his media inter- views, spent another period of time in the coaches' doghouse early in camp but had regained first-team status before the injury. O'Grady's talent as a pass catcher might not have an equal in the country. If he can tame his impulsive traits, he could have a magical season that puts him in the Mackey Award hunt. Grayson Gunter always has possessed exceptional speed for the position. The same goes for Chase Harrell, the converted receiv- er, who had a good first week and a half of camp. Big things are expected from freshman Hudson Henry, who missed about a week of camp while in concus- sion protocol. Blake Kern is the most physical at the position, and he had some big catches the first week of camp. Arkansas position analysis NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/ANDY SHUPE Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd carries the ball Aug. 2 during practice at the uni- versity practice field in Fayetteville. NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/BEN GOFF Arkansas wide receivers Trey Knox (from left), Mike Woods and De'Vion Warren talk March 9 during spring practice at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/ANDY SHUPE Arkansas tight end Cheyenne O'Grady makes a catch Aug. 3 during practice at the uni- versity practice field in Fayetteville.