LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Crews with Central Arkansas Water have repairs underway after a water main break in Little Rock.

CAW said that a 16-inch water main near South Spring Street had a spontaneous break Thursday afternoon, adding that repairs are estimated to take six hours.

Due to the break, CAW is reporting southbound traffic near Frontage Road and Spring Street going south to West 12th Street is being redirected temporarily.

Repair crews are working to repair the break, the agency reported.

CAW advised that customers in the area will have discolored water due to the break and should avoid washing clothes during the discoloration.

Anyone looking for more details on the road closure can call the CAW Distribution Dispatch Center at 501-377-1239.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There are 11 weekends remaining until the return of Arkansas football.

The Razorbacks open the 2024 season in Little Rock against UAPB. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU) on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Arkansas is coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign that saw offensive coordinator Dan Enos get fired midseason and the eventual departures of KJ Jefferson and Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders, two faces of the program.

More: Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson eager to capitalize on fresh start with Arkansas football

More: Arkansas football game time windows, kickoff vs. Texas announced by SEC

In response, the Hogs hired Bobby Petrino and hit the transfer portal, bringing in plenty of newcomers for what feels like an all-important season for head coach Sam Pittman.

Over the next month, the Southwest Times Record will run positional previews twice a week, asking two questions and providing one bold prediction. We tackled the quarterback position earlier this week.

Here’s a look at the running backs entering 2024.

Is there a clear starter at running back for Arkansas football?

Ja’Quinden Jackson and Rashod Dubinion are the leaders in the clubhouse for the starting role. Both players worked with the first team during the spring game, but Jackson handled most of the carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Jackson ran for 797 yards while battling an ankle injury last year at Utah. He only had nine catches out of the backfield, but he looked to be a receiving threat and a capable pass blocker during the spring. There was a revolving door at the starter’s spot in 2023, and Pittman would like some consistency at the position this season.

Dubinion is entering his third year in the program. Everyone struggled behind the offensive line last season, but Dubinion led Arkansas running backs in all-purpose yards and had some nice moments in the passing game, including a clutch 14-yard touchdown reception on the road against Alabama.

Jackson enters fall as the projected starter, but Dubinion will ensure competition rages throughout camp.

How long till Braylen Russell makes an impact?

The burly freshman was one of Arkansas’ top recruits in the previous cycle and impressed coaches the moment he stepped on campus. With tree trunks for legs, Russell displayed strength between the tackles and a certain athletic touch in the receiving game this spring.

Russell will be a prominent piece of the offense at some point in 2024, and it could come early in the season. Luke Hasz received similar hype coming out of his freshman preseason, and the Hogs unleashed the dynamic tight end against BYU in their first big matchup of 2023. Russell could be on a similar timeline.

One bold prediction: Hogs increase rushing output by 1,000 yards

The Hogs ran for 1,668 yards in 2023. In the year prior, Arkansas ranked eighth in the country with 3,075 yards.

The offensive line, a new offensive coordinator and some better injury luck will all propel Arkansas to a season total closer to 2022’s output. After the top three, Arkansas has quality depth with FSU transfer Rodney Hill.

Petrino will hunt explosive plays in the passing game, but a rugged ground attack will still be the backbone of the offense under Pittman. Arkansas will run for more than 2,675 yards, which would have ranked 22nd in the country last year.

What the coaches said this spring

The running back group is going to be real competitive, I think, with R-Dub and JJ probably competing for the starter. If we were playing a game at the end of the week, they would be the ones competing for that starter. The youngster, Braylen, has done a great job. He’s big. He’s really physical. He’s got great hands. It’s all new to him, so there’s times he has a far-away look in his eyes when he doesn’t know the play or can’t picture it in his mind, but he’s got a chance to be special. 

— Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino on the running back room toward the end of spring practice.

Projected depth chart

• Ja’Quinden Jackson, redshirt senior
• Rashod Dubinion, junior
• Braylen Russell, freshman
• Rodney Hill, redshirt sophomore
• Tyrell Reed Jr., sophomore

FAYETTEVILLE — Flowood (Miss.) Hartfield Academy Class of 2025 three-star defensive tackle London Simmons was at Arkansas on Wednesday with his teammates for a 7-on-7 tournament and then he will return soon for an official visit.

Simmons, 6-3, 300, has an official visit set to Arkansas on June 21-23 along with his teammate defensive lineman Reginald Vaughn. Simmons has a long list of offers including one from the Hogs. Simmons talked about why he was at Arkansas on Wednesday.

“I’m just here to support my teammates and maybe get a little tight end work done,” Simmons said. “Just here to support my teammates and cheer them on.”

While at the 7-on-7, Simmons said he’s excited to get back in 10 days for an extended look at Arkansas.

“Yes sir, I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Simmons said. “I love the coaches here. It’s like a family environment That’s what I’m usually from. I love like family environment coaches.”

Simmons got a chance to get a early look at some of the facilities and he was impressed.

“Me just being here and the weight room is just like right up here,” Simmons said. “You have a view down on the field. It’s amazing.”

When it comes time for Simmons to pick a school he has a few particular things he’s looking for. He feels Arkansas checks plenty off of that list and he will know much more after his next visit.

“Yes sir, this is my first time visiting here so I have to see it some more,” Simmons said. “Just go around and see the campus more and talk on my official visit.”

Simmons said he likes Alabama, Florida State and more in addition to Arkansas. All three of those schools plus LSU and others have offered this talented lineman. If Simmons attends Arkansas he would play for Deke Adams.

“Coach Adams and Coach (Sam) Pittman are amazing,” Simmons said. “They are good guys to talk to. They are around like a family environment.”

As a junior, Simmons finished with 80 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles.

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