FAYETTEVILLE — Whenever he next officially runs the ball in a game, Knile Davis will have some new running buddies.
Or, more accurately, some new blocking buddies.
Fullback Kiero Small, 5-10, 250 pounds, was in junior college when Arkansas’ fourth-year junior running back last officially ran for the Razorbacks in 2010.
As the third-team quarterback, Brandon Mitchell occasionally handed off to Davis in 2010. Now a fourth-year junior, Mitchell, 6-4 and a powerfully constructed 230-plus pounds, is Arkansas’ biggest wide receiver ever to block for Davis.
Obviously Davis ran well without Mitchell and Small in 2010, when he rushed for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Still, Davis is intrigued by how well he might run with them in 2012 after missing 2011.
Davis fractured his ankle a year ago and redshirted.
“Yeah, that’s another big blocker out there,” Davis said,describing Mitchell and Small. “You can’t have enough big ones out there.”
Davis had enough big ones throwing blocks to excel in 2010, but he came by his 2010 fullback, Van Stumon, almost by accident. Former coach Bobby Petrino tried Stumon, a fifth-year senior in 2010, at fullback as a last resort after trying him at tight end, linebacker and along the offensive and defensive fronts.
Small was specifically recruited from Hartnell (Calif.) Community College to be the fullback blocking for Davis last year. Small excelled blocking for his replacements, Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo.
This season the Razorbacks coaches are playing Small at linebacker, too, not in an effort to help find him a spot but because they believe that is a spot where he can help.
Senior starting inside linebackers Tenarius Wright and Alonzo Highsmith are ailing from injuries.
Tyler Wilson, Arkansas’ All-SEC quarterback last year, wants Wright and Highsmith well on their way back to the defense so his fullback gets back to playing solely offense.
“Selfishly, I am wanting him back there on my side of the ball,” Wilson said. “We’ll get those guys back and maybe get Kiero back in the backfield and knock some more heads.”
When Davis ran outside or broke into the open field in 2010, wide receiver Jarius Wright often sprung the key block to set him free.
As great a blocker as he was, Wright was listed at only 5-10, 180,in 2010.
Mitchell stands six inches taller and is 30 pounds heavier.
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino smiles wickedly about running Davis with Mitchell and tight end Chris Gragg as blocking bookends
“It’s almost like playing with two tight ends, which is great because that’s some of the stuff Knile does the best,” Petrino said.
Aside from his new blocking buddies, Davis welcomes an old friend.
The games the staff has played to motivate Alvin Bailey have been successful. The 6-5, 310-pound junior preseason All-SEC guard, who is also an Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award candidate, has been running with the first team again since last week.
“Bailey had his best day yet,” Petrino said of Saturday’s scrimmage.
Davis noticed.
“I’m just glad he’s back with the ones,” Davis said. “We run to his side every time.”
Sports, Pages 14 on 08/15/2012