Rodney Hill put emphasis on bulking during offseason

It has been a bit of a bumpy road for Arkansas redshirt junior running back Rodney Hill, but the 5-foot-10, 193-pound Statesboro (Ga.) native is hoping to turn the corner and maintain a spot in the Hogs’ running back rotation in 2025.

Hill started his career at Florida State where he played the 2022 and 2023 seasons, before a “bad agent” set him back and he ultimately found his way to Fayetteville prior to last season.

During his first year in a Razorback uniform, Hill played in 10 games after missing three contests due to concussion protocol. He rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, plus is the Razorbacks’ leading returner in receptions (8) and receiving yards (68).

Additionally, Hill is the lead kickoff returner and compiled 132 yards on eight returns last fall.

“I love it,” Hill said of contributing on special teams. “I just love doing special teams with Coach Fountain, and I’m looking to take a good bit on back. I’ve been working my tail off, so I’m looking to have a good year on that.”

Arkansas staff likes backfield trios

Arkansas running backs coach Kolby Smith prefers to have “probably three” in his running back rotation for games, and if everything remains as it has through camp thus far then Hill will form a trio with returning sophomore Braylen Russell and New Mexico State transfer Mike Washington.

“Three in a given game because of all the different situations that can come up,” Smith said. “We design plays. We’ve got to get it to plays for certain players, you know, we want Braylen in this situation, we’d rather have Mike in this situation and sometimes we want to have Rodney in a situation. It all depends on the situation.”

The Arkansas staff feels that Hill can help the offense in multiple situations and Smith elaborated on all that he brings to the table and the potential that comes with him.

“I think he can be a great early-down, red-zone runner for us,” Smith said. ” So, early down meaning first and second down. Get him out in the passes on third-and-medium, third and short type of situations. When we’re in the red zone and if we want to isolate a linebacker when they go man coverage, we can use him for that.

“He’s going to be a great player for us. He’s explosive. He’s exciting. He’ll bring toughness to the room, and he’s a very good inside-zone runner. When he gets his shoulders square and he gets behind those blocks, he can do a great job of being explosive in the open field.”

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Rodney Hill put on healthy weight

One of the areas Hill made big strides over the offseason was gaining muscle mass, to the delight of his position coach.

“He’s about 193, 195, so he’s probably put on a good 7 pounds of muscle, but he’s been explosive” Smith said. “We’ve been making our blitz checks and he’s been able to finesse his way through the line of scrimmage and open field and take it to the house.

“The spring was really big for him, that day he had two 40-plus yard touchdowns, I think that really increased his confidence.”

As far as football goes, Hill’s daily routine has been dedicated to taking care of himself.

“Just eat, lift, sleep,” Hill said. “Really, that’s all. That was my main goal in December after the bowl game, just start by eating more, eating like three or four times a day, just trying to get my weight up. I can’t be out there running at like 185.”

Hill and the Razorbacks scrimmaged for the first time during fall camp on Saturday and will get Sunday off before returning to practice on Monday.

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