Rashod Dubinion: Razorback of a Dying Breed

Third-year Arkansas running back looked for reasons to stay with the program

Oct 14, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rashod Dubinion (7) carries the ball against the Crimson Tide / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three offensive coordinators in two years. A fourth is on the way. A 2023 offensive line in disarray that allowed the sixth most sacks in the nation. To top it all off, longtime Arkansas running backs coach Jimmy Smith bolted for TCU.

No one would have blamed Rashod Dubinion if he had enough of all the uncertainty and hit the portal. After all, John Calipari said it best in his introductory press conference last night.

"They [the student athletes] now have the ability to do what they choose to do," Calipari said.

Instead, despite all the chaos, Dubinion chose to stay and compete for carries in a crowded Razorbacks backfield. Coach Sam Pittman brought Ja’Quinden Jackson in from Utah. There's new young blood in the emergence of Isaiah Augustave and freshman Braylen Russell.

Dubinion, who has shown flashes of potential across his previous two years with 746 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns, was part of the 2022 rushing attack that finished seventh nationally in rushing. He's sticking it out with new running backs coach Kolby Smith.

"I wanted to show people that like when stuff gets hard, a lot of people just tend to leave out of emotion," Dubinion said. "I try not to let my emotions control what’s next, like what’s next for my future. I just wanted to stay here and give the fans, like show them I was committed to the Razorbacks and not just the money,"

The third-year running back is looking forward to yet another change at offensive coordinator. Like many of the others, Dubinion was intrigued by the hire of Bobby Petrino and hasn't been disappointed so far.

" I heard a lot about him," Dubinion said. "I heard he was a great play-caller. I was really interested to see what plays and different concepts and schemes will be in the offense. It’s more electric and it’s more exciting. I see that the team is ready to play football and not just be out there going through the motions.”

Fans will get a sneak peak of the new-look offense without any restrictions in the annual Red-White scrimmage. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Saturday and will be streamed on SEC Network+. The event is free and open to the public.

HOGS FEED:

• Arkansas fans hurting themselves with Hog call drama; tradition needs adjustment

• Calipari looks to take his players-first philosophy to Arkansas

• What did boosters, Yurachek do to lure Calipari away from Lexington?

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