Arkansas Football's Most Important Players for 2026: No. 12, Sutton Smith

Arkansas Football’s most important players for 2026 spotlights Sutton Smith, a Memphis import expected to play a central role for the Razorbacks. The 5-foot-9, 196-pound running back broke out as a redshirt junior in 2025, posting 1,058 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. After missing nearly all of 2024 with an ACL tear, Smith earned preseason recognition from Phil Steele’s Preseason First-Team All-AAC as a kick returner and was on the Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list. Coaches want him to run between the tackles in SEC-style physicality and to become a bigger factor as a pass catcher. He caught at least one pass in 10 of 12 games last season (20 receptions, 109 yards), and his special-teams value is emphasized by punt and kick return production at Memphis. The piece also recalls his 147-yard career day in a 32-31 win over Arkansas at the Liberty Bowl Stadium.