TJ Hodges

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-0, 189 lbs. Taller than 73% and heavier than 34% of 2026 Running Back prospects in the SEC Scouts database (138 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is a one-cut, home-run back who does his damage at the second level. He hits outside-zone and stretch plays, puts his foot in the ground and outruns angles, so anything that clears the line becomes a chunk play. His touchdown rate is high against every level of competition, which fits that profile. His early reps at Arkansas show the tenacity the staff talks about, but his contact balance is still developing. He is most dangerous in space, on perimeter runs, on screens and in the return game, and less proven at grinding out tough inside yards.

Strengths

• Elite long speed: his 22.19 mph GPS reading led the whole Arkansas roster. That turns any crease at the second level into a possible touchdown, and defenders who take bad pursuit angles do not recover.
• Proven big-play production: as a junior at Marked Tree he ran 156 times for 1,752 yards and 22 TDs (11.2 yards per carry). His senior average fell to about 8.3 yards per carry at Bryant, but that came after a two-classification jump to 7A on a 13-0 state title team, so it is not a decline.
• Receiving threat: at Bryant he caught 8 passes for 142 yards and 3 TDs (17.8 yards per catch). That points to value on screens, wheel routes and routes from the slot, where linebackers cannot keep up with him.
• Fast learner with a frame that can grow: OC Tim Cramsey said you can 'see a different player in him' from his first spring practice to the end of spring, and RB coach David Johnson confirmed the 15-pound gain. He is responding to coaching and to the strength program.

Areas to Improve

• Running through contact. The staff has said he still needs to learn to 'run through the tackles.' At his height he has to lower his pads, keep his legs driving through arm tackles and stop relying on speed alone to escape.
• Pass protection and every-down ability. Like most speed backs coming out of high school, he needs to learn to read blitzes and square up linebackers on picks before coaches trust him on third down. Building mass to about 200 pounds without losing speed is his main strength-program goal.

College Projection

He is a true freshman on the 2026 Arkansas roster with a changeup or rotational role, taking situational carries, speed-package snaps and likely kick returns. The staff can use the four-game redshirt rule to limit his wear. A realistic timeline is to build weight and contact balance through 2026, move into the 1A/1B part of the rotation in 2027 at about 195-200 pounds, and have a chance at a lead-back role by 2028 if his inside running improves. His speed floor keeps him on the field in some role almost immediately.

NFL Outlook

Top-end speed of 22+ mph combined with a 6-0 frame that is filling out earns early NFL attention. His ceiling is a Day 2 pick if he reaches 200 pounds or more with his speed intact and proves he can protect the passer and run between the tackles in the SEC. If he stays under 195 pounds and mainly a perimeter runner, he projects more as a Day 3 speed back and return specialist. For now his draft stock rests on his speed and projection rather than college production.

Best Fit

He fits best in a wide-zone or spread-to-run offense that gets him to the perimeter and into space, with planned screen and swing-route touches and a rotation that protects him from 20-plus carry games early on. Arkansas under Ryan Silverfield and Tim Cramsey fits well: the in-state star is already getting development reps, and pairing him with a bigger inside back lets his speed show while his physical game catches up.