An Ode to Rakeem Boyd
Some folks made me mad, so I'm writing!
Hello all! I’ll be brief up top so we can dive into the main story, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you to subscribe to Pig Tales if you haven’t already done so:
Let’s talk Hogs!
It was a sad day for Hog fans, as some rumors were confirmed with Rakeem Boyd officially announcing his intent to opt out of the remainder of the 2020 football season. It was probably inevitable, and for the most part, was met with gratitude and class, as the Arkansas faithful said “so long” to a great servant to the team. Unfortunately, as is often the case, there were some knuckleheads who showed up and decided to weigh in with nothing but negativity, calling him a “loser,” a “quitter,” and someone who “won’t be missed.”
Folks… that made me mad!
So rather than delving into a neverending comment war back and forth with the internet’s dumbest trolls, I’d rather reflect on Rakeem Boyd’s Arkansas career and examine the legacy that he left, as he begins his professional football journey. It’s time to recall one of my favorite Razorbacks to ever play.
Before Arkansas
Rakeem’s Razorback journey began a little differently than most. It actually started at Texas A&M. As a highly touted four star prospect coming out of Stratford High School, the Houston native chose to stay close to home over offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Missouri and Nebraska among others. However, it wouldn’t be a dream start to his collegiate career, as trouble with academics and a low spot on the depth chart forced him to redshirt. After a year, he would have to leave College Station.
Most would have hung up their cleats after that horrible first year, but Rakeem was determined to prove that he was the same running back who amassed 6,436 yards and 80 touchdowns in his high school career.
Boyd would transfer to Independence Community College in Kansas, where many of us would meet him for the first time via the Netflix show Last Chance U, which featured ICC’s football team. He quite literally hit the ground running, finishing his only season with 1,211 yards with 14 touchdowns. Boyd was immediately back in the spotlight, and was named the #3 runningback among Junior College recruits.
It’s here that I have to begrudgingly give Chad Morris some kudos— he saw Rakeem Boyd’s talent, and sold him on Arkansas, as Boyd chose Fayetteville over Colorado and Arizona State. The temptation to right what was wrong in his first foray into the SEC was probably palpable, and so Rakeem Boyd was a officially a Razorback.
2018
If you’re like me, you’ve probably repressed most of the Chad Morris era, so it can be easy to forget how quickly we all fell in love with Rakeem. Donning number 5 and playing runningback at Arkansas is a daunting task, as Darren McFadden’s shoes are impossible to fill, but in a busy backfield that included another former four star in Devwah Whaley, Boyd was the standout. He finished the year with 123 carries for 734 yards (6 yards a carry) and 2 touchdowns to cap off what was ultimately a miserable campaign, as the Hogs finished 2-10. His excellent start was marked by a nice 69 yard touchdown run against Ole Miss in one of the few competitive games on the year.
Rakeem Boyd was a bright spot in a dark time. We just didn’t know how dark it would get.
2019
2019 was quite possibly the worst year in Razorback football history. The team finished a miserable 2-10 again, and suffered horrible defeat after horrible defeat that left Razorback stadium empty in a pre-pandemic world. Nevertheless, Rakeem Boyd shined brighter than in 2018, as he finished with 184 carries for 1,133 yards (an even better 6.2 yards per carry) and 8 touchdowns. His career year included several great highlights, but a cool 74 yard touchdown run against Kentucky will probably be my favorite highlight of his.
His rare combination of speed, power, and agility made him a premiere runningback, and one of the best in a conference loaded with talent.
After those two miserable seasons though, the coach that brought him to Fayetteville was fired, and he likely turned his head toward the NFL Draft. Who could blame him? After a career year, most guys at runningback jump at the chance to get drafted. That was not to be though.
2020
Despite being an otherwise miserable year, it did start off with great news. After Sam Pittman’s arrival at Arkansas, perhaps the first recruit he reached out to would have been Rakeem Boyd, who nearly instantly committed to return to Arkansas for his senior season. It was an endorsement that likely sent a message to everyone on the team: Sam Pittman meant business. Unfortunately, Boyd’s senior campaign was not to be a fairytale ending, as COVID-19 delayed the season, leaving many wondering if there would even be a season. The uncertainty saw many players opt out, and rightfully so. If you aren’t getting paid to play, there’s really no reason to risk coming back to a college season that might not even happen. But Rakeem Boyd did, and for that he should be held in the highest regard as a Razorback.
The season didn’t go as many expected. Arkansas turned out to be a pretty good team, but as fate would have it, Rakeem would be fully healthy for very little of that campaign. After nagging injuries and a COVID diagnosis, Boyd finished with only 82 carries for 309 yards (a much worse 3.8 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns. Aside from a stellar game against his old Aggie team, in which he rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, Boyd struggled to find the kinds of holes he was used to seeing. I largely blame this on injuries and COVID eliminating the preseason. Despite not quite getting that fairytale ending, I was glad to see him turn in a great performance against his former school.
Rakeem Boyd Opts Out
So we arrive to today. Arkansas sits at 3-5 (4-4 actually, thanks Auburn), and (bowl games notwithstanding) only has games against Missouri and Alabama to go. It’s been a rough year for everyone, but Arkansas has been particularly ravaged, as a COVID outbreak saw a paper-thin team face LSU and the Missouri game delayed. Rakeem was one of the players who missed the LSU game with COVID, and now has decided to opt out.
My question is, how can you blame him? After three years of ups and downs, Boyd had earned his ticket to the show, but chose to come back to help Sam Pittman begin his project. He also chose to come back despite several players around the country opting out of the season when the pandemic first broke. He played through injuries, and ultimately dealt with the very illness that threatened the season itself. What more could he give? I understand that there are two games left, and that to some, opting out could feel like quitting, but that simply isn’t the case. Rakeem has made a decision to get healthy, to get fit, and to get prepared for the NFL draft. I never fault a kid for going to the pros. They aren’t compensated in college (and they should be, but that’s another debate for another time), and I’ll never blame someone for going to get paid.
Two meaningless games that could see him injured further, or further exposed to COVID would be catastrophic for his potential pro career. We are already a lock for a bowl in my opinion, given that requirements have been lowered to one win. We should also be able to beat Missouri with or without Boyd on the field. The Alabama game will be a game won by Alabama. I’m sorry, but Boyd can’t play all 22 starting positions. In short, Boyd has given all there is to give to Arkansas, and for his own sake, it’s time to move on. We should do nothing but wish him well.
Rakeem Boyd’s Legacy
I’ll admit, I wasn’t thrilled when it was announced that Rakeem Boyd would be wearing the number 5 jersey. If we’re going to retire any jerseys at all, Darren McFadden’s deserves to be retired. However, we haven’t, and I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong. Rakeem Boyd was the perfect person to wear 5 over the past three years. Through the darkest times in Arkansas history, he was a bright light, and his shine allowed us all to get some enjoyment in our misery. I think KATV’s Kyle Deckelbaum defined Boyd’s legacy best:
Rakeem Boyd will be remembered as the one consistent bright spot of the two worst seasons in program history, then the first to symbolically back the new coaching staff.
I can’t think of a more commendable legacy than that. So please, if you’re taking time out of your day to harass a college student about his choice to go professional, stop it. Rakeem Boyd has given us his all, and after a career surrounded by turmoil, I think it’s time that we tip our caps and honor one of the best Razorbacks to play in this cursed decade.
Thanks so much for reading. I get a little emotional thinking about Rakeem, because he’s one of my favorites to ever wear the cardinal and white. For such heart to be insulted like that is a disgrace. What’s your favorite Rakeem Boyd memory? Should number 5 be retired? Leave a comment, and of course, don’t forget to share this story if you think it’s good.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and go Hogs!