FAYETTEVILLE -- It seems most of the great college running backs hit the ground running as freshmen.
It also seems most of the great ones early in their freshman season don't play nearly as many downs as their rushing stats warrant.
The explanations these past 42 years by various Arkansas Razorbacks coaches seldom vary.
"We want to keep our quarterback in one piece," is the general gist.
The young running back who can't pass protect among busting assignments tends to get his quarterback busted.
With 1,000-yard rushing running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins returning along with 260-pound Kody Walker enhancing and protecting fifth-year senior quarterback Brandon Allen, it seemed idyllic for talented freshman running back Rawleigh Williams III to redshirt and learn the nuances protecting next year's quarterbacks.