Mitchell Bailey walk-on "fullback"

Jimmy Chitwood

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Mitchell Bailey started at tailback for the "white" team in Arkansas' Red-White spring game. the White team was made up of expected back-ups and other players expected to be on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th team depth chart.


Bailey carried the ball 11 times, and he was hit behind the line-of-scrimmage on 9 of those carries. he also had 1 reception, and he was hit behind the line-of-scrimmage on it, as well. still, despite getting hit behind the line on 10-of-12 touches, he only lost yardage on 2 carries (for minus 6 yards), andhe picked up a net of 27 yards rushing, and managed to get back to the line-of-scrimmage on the reception.


that right there shows you how hard the kid runs.
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also, he was the ONLY running back in the game who didn't have at least one fumble.


if the Arkansas coaching staff truly wants to put the best players on the field, he deserves a LONG look behind an o-line that can open up some holes. he didn't get an opportunity to succeed on Saturday, but he still stood out as a good looking back.


meanwhile, the black backs for the Red team looked terrible, aside from expected #2 tailback D. Curtis, and even he didn't exactly shine. Curtis and fellow overrated running back D. Johnson each fumbled twice and dropped multiple passes. Curtis did run well when he didn't drop the ball, though. all-hype team member Broderick Green (a transfer from USC who has been drooled over for several months by the in-state media) looked even slower than his listed time of 4.7, andhe showed neitherquick feet nor the ability to change direction. how in the hell this guy is considered a legitimate tailback is beyond me!
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he's big, but he's slower than evolution, and if he had paler skin no one would even know his name.


from the way the running backs were used, i'm afraid Mitchell Bailey will only get a chance to carry the ball in the regular season if the Hog running backs get injured like last year's Denver Broncos.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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rumor has it that the University of Louisiana-Monroe coaching staff is expecting BIG things from the former Arkansas Razorback "fullback" after sitting outthe requiredyear post-transfer.the same rumors i've heardsaid that if his performances in camp this spring were any indication of what to expect this fall,he might be the best back in the conference. he was certainly the best running back on the Arkansas roster before being cast(e) aside by Petrino and company.

it'd be nice if this kid finally gets a chance to show what he's got.

Mitchell Bailey profile.
 

mattharper

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Good find Jimmy. Ive seen this kid play and he can easily be another Hillis but with more caries. With bigger backs in vogue in the NFL I think we might have another draftee on our hands. Good find once again.
 

FootballDad

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Jimmy Chitwood said:
Reading through his profile, I would almost be impressed, except I'm sure that the top 100 always-all-black potential recruits must always exceed this by a wide margin, to be an elite prospect, right?
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Oh, and I notice that he had an outstanding GPA in HS as well. All of those Rivals and Scout recruits must also be "Smart Savages" too, correct?
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Riddlewire

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I don't know where all this optimism is coming from. ULM isn't exactly BYU. They're not known for ever giving white skill players an opportunity. And it's not like the townsfolk are going to get behind him (Monroe, Louisiana is 62% black). Bailey got no significant carries in the Spring Game. Besides, they've got three running backs returning who combined for a whopping 582 yards last year. That may not be a huge total, but with names like Centarius, Tavarese, and Jyruss, you know they have to be fast, homey!
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Riddlewire said:
I don't know where all this optimism is coming from. ULM isn't exactly BYU. They're not known for ever giving white skill players an opportunity. And it's not like the townsfolk are going to get behind him (Monroe, Louisiana is 62% black). Bailey got no significant carries in the Spring Game. Besides, they've got three running backs returning who combined for a whopping 582 yards last year. That may not be a huge total, but with names like Centarius, Tavarese, and Jyruss, you know they have to be fast, homey!


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excellent post. however, i'm just passing on the gossip as i heard it.

also, the reason Bailey didn't put up any stats in the spring game is because he didn't play in it. according to this article, Bailey wasn't allowed to play in the game due to transfer rules.

i just hope the kid gets a shot, because he surely deserves it.
 

Riddlewire

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Jimmy Chitwood said:
according to this article, Bailey wasn't allowed to play in the game due to transfer rules. </div>
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I'm 90% certain that that's not accurate. Elgibility rules pertain to game activities. Otherwise, transfers wouldn't be able to practice during the season, either. And we know Mallett practiced during his transfer year. Also, Mustain played in the spring game for USC after he transferred there from UA. And he didn't even transfer until the summer. I also found an article about Louisville football where some transfers are "spring eligible" during their transfer years, just like Bailey. Also, that article you linked said that Bailey was "il­legible" to play in the game. So maybe he actually just couldn't read the practice schedule and slept through the game.
I'm not sure how much I'd trust a writer who could make such a bad mistake.
I suppose Bailey could be a special case. Or I'm misunderstanding the facts of the situation. Or maybe it's just because he's white...
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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you may be right, Riddlewire.
 

bigjimm40

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Mitchell Bailey was highlighted on defense in high school. One of the best I`ve ever seen stopping the run up the middle. Still good laterally. We started a smaller quicker scat type Tailback who is currently playing D-2 ball in oklahoma. On a scale of !-10 as a studious christian young man he would rank somewhere around one million. (careful `cause I`m kinda` sounding like the commentators talking about Tim Tebow). Great young man!!! great speed, power and size. Poor lateral movement. One cut and go type runner. Just my opinion but, probably got a less than fair deal in high school. Averaged over seven yards a carry in high school and broke several long runs. Hope he gets a fair chance..............he`s a super nice guy from a great family. He is extremely determined.
 
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