Chad Morris arrived at Arkansas last December with promises of bringing an offense that will light up the scoreboard. That hasn’t happened just yet. Through 4 games against Power 5 teams, the Razorbacks (1-4) are averaging an SEC-worst 16 points per game.

The struggles offensively can largely be attributed to the line. From an overall talent standpoint, it’s probably the worst offensive front in the SEC. There’s only so much the Hogs can do with that this season. As is the case with the program in general, it’s going to take a couple recruiting cycles before that position group has any chance at reaching an acceptable standard.

But beyond that, it also hasn’t always been very apparent if there are any special playmakers. The only chance at working around an inadequate offensive line would be to find such players and get them the ball as many ways as possible.

Within the past two weeks, though, two players have emerged as potential standouts. Here’s who they are, what they’ve done and why the Hogs need to make them a major part of the plan each week:

RB Rakeem Boyd

Nationally, running back Rakeem Boyd is probably the most well-known player on the team thanks to his role in the Netflix series Last Chance U. Before too long, Boyd might be equally as well-known for his accomplishments at Arkansas. The sophomore is a complete running back with great speed, good hands, a patient approach and the ability to be a reliable asset in pass protection.

Boyd has 32 touches — 26 carries and 6 receptions — in the Hogs’ past four games. He’s averaging 7.9 yards per touch in those games. That’s tied for the SEC lead among running backs with Alabama’s Damien Harris. Boyd had the longest run of the game against Auburn (45 yards) and Texas A&M (25 yards) each of the past two weeks.

There’s also likely still a ton of potential to be uncovered with Boyd. He didn’t arrive at Arkansas until early August. He was also a late arrival to Texas A&M as part of the Aggies’ 2016 recruiting class. After a redshirt year, he announced in the spring of 2017 he’d be transferring and spent last season at Independence (Kan.) Community College. So, through all this, he’s still never even had the experience of summer workouts at a major program.

To think Boyd probably still has a long way to go in getting acclimated to playing in the SEC says a lot about how good he could become. For now, he already deserves to be an imperative part of the offense as he continues to develop.

TE Cheyenne O’Grady

Arkansas has desperately needed more production from its tight ends. After an impressive spring from the position group, the coaching staff came into the season expecting to rely on the tight ends heavily in the passing game. But the group was nearly nonexistent in losses to Colorado State, North Texas and Auburn.

Those games were played without Cheyenne O’Grady, though. The junior from Fayetteville was suspended for undisclosed reasons. As he has tried to work his way out of the doghouse, he didn’t have his first catch of 2018 until last Saturday against Texas A&M.

That first reception, though, was a great example of why he’s so important to this offense. O’Grady executed perfectly on what was a 36-yard connection with quarterback Ty Storey. It helps that he’s an exceptional athlete at his size, which was evident when he left three defenders behind with one cut to produce the longest play of the game for either team.

O’Grady didn’t have to wait long for his second catch of the season. After 2 carries by Boyd — one of which was a 16-yard gain — O’Grady brought Arkansas inside an opponent’s 10-yard line for the first time in five quarters with a 17-yard catch. The Razorbacks scored 3 plays later on what was likely their best drive of the season to that point.

O’Grady’s third and final reception Saturday went for 24 yards late in the fourth quarter. The Hogs scored on the next play to keep the game competitive to the end. If Arkansas’ first touchdown drive Saturday isn’t its best of the season, its second one surely is. O’Grady was a hero on both those scoring trips, which shows exactly why he should be a focal point in the offense going forward.