University of Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema expects Devwah Whaley to push Rawleigh Williams for the starting running back job in his sophomore season, after the Razorbacks held their first spring scrimmage over the weekend.

Arkansas emphasised their ground attack during the scrimmage at Donald W Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, with Bermudian Whaley rushing for 93 yards on 14 carries. Williams, entering his junior season, led the way with 187 yards and one touchdown — a 68-yarder — on 19 carries.

“Rawleigh ... and Devwah have a nice competition going,” Bielema told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Whaley, however, is also set to face plenty of competition for playing time in a crowded Arkansas backfield, with 6ft, 230lb freshman Maleek Williams powering his way to 89 yards on 18 carries in his first collegiate scrimmage. Junior Juan Day had 36 yards on just two attempts with Connor McPherson, a senior, having 63 yards on 11 carries.

“Overall, through practice No 6, I’m excited where they’re at and where they’re going,” Bielema said, “Offensively, I thought our ones [starters] especially did some really good things.

“We ran the ball really with all [groups] pretty well. I know Rawleigh and Devwah do really good. I was glad top see Maleek and J Day get out there and do those things.”

Whaley finished second on the team last season with 634 yards on 110 rushing attempts, for a healthy 5.5 yards-per-carry average, and three touchdowns as the Razorbacks went 7-6. He also had six receptions for 139 yards.

Bielema had banned his defensive players from tackling low during the scrimmage to minimise the potential for injuries.

“This is our first tackle session of the spring and I would not allow our guys to go low,” he explained. “You saw one guy go low and I got all over him. I just don’t want to put our guys at risk, so that really puts our defensive guys at a disadvantage.”

Senior Austin Allen returns as the Razorbacks’ starting quarterback and he completed 15 of 21 passes for 146 yards and an interception, while Jordan Jones also impressed, leading all wide receivers with four catches for 106 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown grab from fellow redshirt freshman, Cole Kelley.

“Jordan is tremendously talented, extremely intelligent,” Bielema said. “But what we’ve got to do is convince Jordan Jones he can be good. If Jordan Jones wants to be a really good player, he can be that.”