i had a few minutes to spare this morning, and i took a look at the state newspaper's sports section. in it was a huge write-up on incoming freshman tailback
Kody Walker, who "looks like a fullback, runs like a tailback."
Walker, who has good size (6-1, 230-pounds - but 6-2, 235 in the article) but below average speed (reportedly 4.7 in the 40, but which "somehow" goes unmentioned in the article), is apparently an "ideal" tailback for head coach Bobby Petrino, as Walker "fits the profile of the big back Petrino likes to use to help wear down defenses and control the ball."
Petrino decided to recruit Walker after watching him play in a game where he ran for 158 yards on 21 carries as a sophomore.
according to the article,
Petrino said he has a "big-time" memory of the game and was impressed by Walker's speed and physical play.
the game was one of the best in Walker's career, as he finished his career with a combined 3,275 yards and 42 touchdowns over three seasons. this productivity made Walker "big-time" enough to be the only running back (he was signed as a tailback, remember) inArkansas' 2011 class.
now then, i'd like you to think about this ... two years ago, Petrino wouldn't give the ball at tailback to his "big back" Mitchell Bailey who was substantially faster (and a bit smaller), because Bailey was a "fullback." Bailey, you see, didn't "fit the profile" of a tailback in Petrino's mind despite routinely outrunning or running over the Razorback defense during practice on a daily basis.
also, just for comparison, Petrino didn't even bother to look at
Steven Kehner, the #5 all-time rusher in Arkansas history. Kehner, a pure tailback with 4.4 speed, averaged more yards
every singlegameof his career than Walker did in his "big-time" performance. "weird," that somehow
that isn't "big-time." huh?
additionally, Kehner was nearly as productive in his senior year alone (2,488 yards and 40 touchdowns) as Walker was in his entire career. and he could likely outrun Walker backwards.
but apparently, it's obvious Kehner didn't "fit the profile" either. "weird," huh?
i "wonder" what Walker has that these other two guys don't ...