By Evin Demirel
Rakeem Boyd has played in only eight games as a Razorback so far. Two of his first three games were nothing to write home about — a 12 yards-performance against Eastern Illinois, and a DNP vs. North Texas.Since then, though, Rakeem Boyd might as well be re-named Rakeem Mand.
Because he’s certainly playing like one.
Check these stat lines:
vs Auburn
6 rushes for 66 yards
2 catches for 39 yards
vs Texas A&M
10 rushes for 47 yards
4 catches for 33 yards
vs Alabama
15 rushes for 102 yards
5 catches for 24 yards
vs Ole Miss
7 rushes for 109 yards
2 catches for 36 yards
vs Tulsa
22 rushes for 99 yards
3 catches for 14 yards
vs Vanderbilt
19 rushes for 113 yards
0 catches for 0 yards
In all, Boyd is off to one of the impressive career starts in Razorback running back history. In the SEC era, only Darren McFadden and Alex Collins racked up more running yards. Meanwhile, Boyd’s start ranks as the most prolific all-time in terms of receiving from running back.
Below are the Hogs’ most productive first-year running backs in the SEC era.
First Eight Games Of Razorback Career
Darren McFadden
(as a true freshman)
Year: 2005
Rushing Yards: 869
Rushing Attempts: 118
Rush Yards Per Attempt: 7.36
Rushing TDs: 8
Receiving Yards: 11
Receptions: 5
Receiving Yards Per Attempt: 2.2
Receiving TDs: 0
Most Baller Game In First Year (regular season): 190 yards on 31 attempts and 2 touchdowns at Georgia (loss)
Performance vs. LSU: 57 yards on 24 attempts and 1 touchdown in road loss
[Before the Alabama game in 2018, Darren McFadden met Rakeem Boyd in the Arkansas locker room. Boyd talked to me about their relationship. Read more about it in my feature for OnlyInArk.com.]
Alex Collins
(as a true freshman)
Year: 2013
Rushing Yards: 797
Rushing Attempts: 141
Rush Yards Per Attempt: 5.65
Rushing TDs: 4
Receiving Yards: 64
Receptions: 9
Receiving Yards Per Attempt: 7.1
Receiving TDs: 0
Most Baller Game In First Year (regular season): 174 yards on 24 attempts and 1 touchdown vs. Samford (win)
Performance vs. LSU: 28 yards on 11 attempts and 0 touchdowns in road loss
Rakeem Boyd
(as a sophomore [transferred from Texas A&M])
Year: 2018
Rushing Yards: 615
Rushing Attempts: 94
Rush Yards Per Attempt: 6.5
Rushing TDs: 2
Receiving Yards: 154
Receptions: 18
Receiving Yards Per Attempt: 8.6
Receiving TDs: 0
Most Baller Game In First Year (regular season so far): 109 yards on 7 carries and 1 touchdown, mostly in the first half, vs. Ole Miss (loss)
Performance vs. LSU: TBA
Felix Jones
(true freshman)
Year: 2005
Rushing Yards: 500
Rushing Attempts: 72
Rush Yards Per Attempt: 6.9
Rushing TDs: 3
Receiving Yards: 100
Receptions: 8
Receiving Yards Per Attempt: 12.5
Receiving TDs: 0
Most Baller Game In First Year (regular season): 137 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown vs. Missouri State (win)
Performance vs. LSU: 5 yards on 4 carries at LSU (loss)
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Year: 1999
Rushing Yards: 456
Rushing Attempts: 70
Rush Yards Per Attempt: 6.5
Rushing TDs: 2
Receiving Yards: 54
Receptions: 9
Receiving Yards Per Attempt: 6
Receiving TDs: 1
Most Baller Game In First Year (regular season): 107 yards on 15 carries in a thrilling win at home vs. No. 3 Tennessee (yeah, I was there)
Performance vs. LSU: 29 yards on 9 carries in a road loss
So, what about those SWC-era Razorback backs?
I hear you loud and clear. I’ve done some number gathering on the first (varsity) years of heavy hitters like Ike Forte, Bill Burnett, Dickey Morton, Jerry Eckwood and Clyde Scott. I’m going to serve up their stats as a special exclusive for subscribers to my blog. To get that upcoming content, just sign up for my email list through the pop-up or email me at evin@bestofarkansassports.com.