Commitment Analysis: Rakeem Boyd

Hogs take double-OT win at Georgia, 80-77

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Arkansas filling defensive needs

Big Red Recruiting Board, 2018

Commitment Analysis: Courtre Alexander

Updated Scholarship Distribution

Arkansas addressed a big need at running back with the addition of Rakeem Boyd on Monday. The Commitment Analysis breaks down what his commitment means to the class and this season's roster:

Boyd was no stranger to Arkansas' new staff under head coach Chad Morris. As a four-star recruit coming out of Houston (Texas) Stratford in 2016, Boyd was offered by Morris' SMU staff and had been evaluated by Texas, where Jeff Traylor was the running backs coach.

The Razorbacks were well aware of what Boyd had done as a redshirt-freshman this past season, rushing for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns as a bounce-back from Texas A&M.

Arkansas officially extended an offer on January 7 and got Boyd on campus for a visit just 12 days later. Boyd said after his Fayetteville visit that he still planned to check out Arizona and Colorado, but after sleeping on it he announced his pledge to the Razorbacks on Monday, Jan. 22.

To understand why Boyd was an important addition to this year's class, one has to understand the question marks surrounding Arkansas' returning group of running backs.

There's no denying Devwah Whaley's potential. Though he's been up and down to this point of his career, a lot of his inconsistencies in 2017 were a result of bad O-line play. Whaley, who found the end zone five times in Arkansas' last six games, will need to trim down and try to become more explosive this offseason.

Chase Hayden rushed for 326 yards and four touchdowns in seven games as a true freshman but is coming off an injury. T.J. Hammonds had some big moments in 2017 but finished his season with seven carries for four yards in the last three games combined. Maleek Williams redshirted as a true freshman last year, so he's a mystery man going into spring ball.

Arkansas has moved wide receiver Maleek Barkley to tailback in an attempt to gain more depth. If they could only make room for one running back in this year's class, it makes sense to go with a more experienced guy like Boyd, who has already had a glimpse of life in the SEC.

Boyd will have three years to play three seasons in Fayetteville.