Dominique Johnson is unlikely to play in Arkansas’ season-opener against Cincinnati after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason.
But the Razorbacks’ starting running back is still putting in work during his team’s fall camp.
“I give him responsibilities and tell him what they’re supposed to do for each other,” running backs coach Jimmy Smith said. “He’s always having fun and coaching the guys. He’s in good spirits, right now. He knows what I expect of him, and he does it.”
Johnson was just fourth on the team in yards rushing last year, but that total belied his effect. He started the year as a tight end and became the Arkansas starter at running back for the final third of the year. His seven touchdown runs were tops on the team.
Arkansas’ backfield is in quality hands – er, legs – even without Johnson, though. Rocket Sanders ran for 578 yards and five scores and AJ Green ran for 227 as the fourth-stringer.
Johnson is helping those two sophomores continue their development this fall.
“I wolud say he’s definitely a leader in our room,” Green said. “Him being able to do that, it just shows how much of a leader you are, because the better leader you are the more acts of service you’re going to do for the people you care for, the people you’re trying to lead. He’s definitely doing a great job of leading us.”