Arkansas football's Braylen Russell progressing, competing after down spring session

Arkansas running back Braylen Russell carries the ball, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, during the team's seventh practice of fall camp at the Fred W. Smith Football Center in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)FAYETTEVILLE — At the end of spring practices, Arkansas football running backs coach Kolby Smith had a meeting with Braylen Russell.

The bruising freshman, coming off a productive debut season, had been an enigma. He finished with 354 yards on 67 carries and 3 touchdowns. Russell had a standout 175-yard showing at Mississippi State and was a reason for excitement for the future.

But then he entered the transfer portal. Then he removed his name from the portal. Then he went back in. Then…