FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas’ new coaching staff didn’t need to convert fullback Kiero Small to the physical running style they want to be the Razorbacks’ calling card.
Small, a human bowling ball looking for someone to knock over, already is a poster boy for the offense.
“You just put a picture over there and say, ‘What do you want your team to look like?’ I would put him right there up front,” offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said of Small. “He’s exactly what you look for.
“He will put his face on you and enjoy doing it, and that’s a wonderful thing.”
Small, a fifth-year senior who played a key blocking role on the Razorbacks’ 11-2 team in 2011, is back at full speed this spring after missing the final 11 games last season because of a broken foot.
“Physical is my game,” Small said. “I’m not the fastest or the strongest person, but I try to be the most physical guy out there. So when the coaches tell us they want to be a real physical team, that’s what I try to bring to the offense. I think we’re adapting to that now.”
Small said the goal on first down run plays in practice has been to gain 4 yards.
“Four yards a pop, that’s about as physical as it’s going to get,” he said. “We’re running at people, you know it’s coming, so let’s just go ahead and line up and play ball.
“We’re lining up and punching people in the mouth, and I’m on the field a lot more. So it’s all good on my end.”
Sophomore tailback Jonathan Williams said he loves getting carries with Small as the lead blocker.
“It’s so great running behind him,” Williams said. “I mean, the holes are wide open.”
Small also affords the quarterbacks an extra level of protection.
“It’s huge having him back there,” sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen said. “He’s got his body in, I think, the best shape he’s ever been in, and he’s out there running around knocking people’s heads off. So it’s great for us.”
The Razorbacks’ missed Small’s blocking last season when the team fell to 4-8, but his absence also left a huge leadership void.
“Kiero’s a team leader on and off the field,” Williams said. “He leads by example, he leads vocally. He’s definitely one of the guys that I lean to for support.”
Small was a newcomer on the 2011 team as a transfer from Hartnell (Calif.) Community College, where he was an All-American linebacker and played fullback. Now he’s one of the Razorbacks’ most experienced players, especially among the running backs with the loss of Dennis Johnson, Knile Davis and Ronnie Wingo Jr.
“I’ve always been a guy that’s tried to lead by example. Just by being myself, guys tend to follow me,” Small said. “But I’m working on being more vocal now. I try to pick my spots.”
Coach Bret Bielema has consistently praised Small’s attitude.
“If there’s one guy that has been a champion for me in every way, shape or form in everything we’ve asked him to do, it’s Kiero Small,” Bielema said. “From being the best recruiting host in December and January to being a physical specimen that transformed his body.
“There’s some before-and-after photos … I’m not going to put them out there, but some pretty impressive transition with him.”
Small, 5-10, said he’s down from 255 pounds to 245 through a combination of eating healthier and off-season training with strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert.
“I’ve told Coach Herb, ‘I’ve done ate more vegetables in the last couple weeks than I have in my whole life,’ ” Small said. “At night when I get hungry, instead of eating a bag of chips or something, I eat vegetables. The weight will just start falling off.”
Small said he can feel the difference playing at a lighter weight.
“It helps me go the next play,” he said. ” I can run full speed and come back and not be as tired as I would with 10 extra pounds.
“It’s like if you strapped a 10-pound weight on yourself and then tried to go out and practice for 21 periods, it’s going to weigh you down. So I can feel myself moving a little quicker, I can go a little longer. At the same time, I’m stronger than what I was at 255.”
Knowing the fullback is going to play a bigger role in the offense this season helped him stay focused on losing the weight.
“It was a real motivation for me,” he said. “It’s exciting to be a fullback in this type of offense.”
Small, who has one carry and one reception in 14 games, has received several touches in scrimmage work this spring and lined up at tailback.
“I’m still a fullback and doing my thing, but in short-yardage I’m getting the ball some,” he said. “I played tailback in high school, so I know what to do with the ball, but I also know my job is to block.”
Williams said it’s been fun to see Small score touchdowns in goal-line situations.
“He has vision, he’s a big guy,” Williams said. “He’s definitely someone that when we’re in goal-line range, or it’s third-and-1, fourth-and-1, he can get the extra yard.”
Small said while missing last season was tough, he’s grateful for a medical redshirt and chance to play for this coaching staff.
“Those were my guys last year, all the seniors,” Small said. “I love those guys. I would have loved to have gone out with them, but I got another chance and I love the situation I’m in now.
“Coach B is a great guy. We’ve got a great coaching staff, and we’re playing my style of ball. I like getting after people.
“You know it’s coming, let’s go.”
Kiero Small at a glance
COLLEGE Arkansas POSITION Fullback CLASS Fifth-year senior HOMETOWN Baltimore AGE 23 (Born May 1, 1989) HEIGHT/WEIGHT 5-10, 245 pounds HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIOR COLLEGE Baltimore Cardinal Gibbons High School and Hartnell (Calif.) Community College
NOTEWORTHY Back at full speed this spring after breaking a foot last fall and missing 11 games … Has played in 14 games at Arkansas, including two starts … Only carry went for a 1-yard touchdown against Mississippi State in 2011. Also had one catch for 7 yards against Missouri State in 2011 … Split practice time at fullback and linebacker last fall before being injured, but now is playing strictly on offense … Was a junior college All-American linebacker at Hartnell, where he had 120 tackles as a sophomore and 109 as a freshman.
Sports, Pages 19 on 04/18/2013