It shouldn’t be a surprise.

Arkansas, under coach Bret Bielema, once again looks strong at the running back position. But just three months ago, the outlook seemed at least tenuous.

The projected top three players in the Razorbacks backfield were at least uncertain to be on the roster in 2016 as recently as November. And because of the players on their way out the door, that was a frightening thought for Hogs fans.

Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams were the best backfield tandem in Arkansas since the Darren McFadden/Felix Jones/Peyton Hillis trio roamed free. But soon after Williams broke his foot before the season, it became apparent he had no intention of redshirting and returning in 2017. And with Collins then poised for a third consecutive 1,000-yard season, he was ticketed for the NFL early.

Then Rawleigh Williams III suffered a career-threatening neck injury Oct. 24 against Auburn.

At that point, Devwah Whaley was committed to the Georgia Bulldogs and Kody Walker was a fifth-year senior with little prospect of playing in the NFL who will be 24 by the time the 2016 season kicks off.

Now those three players are expected to get the majority of the carries for the Razorbacks in 2016, thanks to this turn of events:

  1. Georgia fired Mark Richt after the regular season. Whaley de-committed. Arkansas snapped him up, then held off Texas to collect his signature on National Signing Day.
  2. Walker petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility — a medical hardship waiver — which it granted. He’ll return.
  3. Bielema announced that Williams III will participate in spring practice, albeit on a limited (likely non-contact) basis. The team anticipates that he’ll be ready to play in the fall, though it’s not a guarantee.

Suddenly, the team’s prospects for running the ball effectively without the two departed stalwarts looks much better. And that’s good, because the team will be breaking in a new starter at quarterback.

Here is our best guess as to the depth chart entering the season-opener Sept. 3 against Louisiana Tech, with some input from Gatehouse Media beat writer Eric Bolin:

PROJECTED RB DEPTH CHART ENTERING THE SEASON

1a) Rawleigh Williams III: He carried 56 times for 254 yards before getting hurt, flashing starter potential against Texas A&M and Tennessee. If he’s healthy and ready to go, look for him to start the season as the primary back as the team kicks the tires on Whaley and deploys Walker as a battering ram on occasion. Neck injuries are serious and the team will take precautions. But Arkansas fans will be rooting for this young man if he makes a return.

1b) Devwah Whaley: The pride of the 2016 class along with defensive end McTelvin Agim, the Beaumont, Texas, native rated as the No. 3 running back in the country, according to the 247Sports composite. He’s got plenty of speed and surely will add to his listed 209 pounds by September. But is he ready to be the lead man in a powerful SEC West running game? Skill players at receiver and running back have made immediate contributions on a more frequent basis in recent seasons. It’s hard to judge where Whaley sits in the pecking order until he practices with the team. But he will earn some sort of immediate role.

3) Kody Walker: At 6-foot-2 and 256 pounds, Walker is more of a fullback who has occasionally carried the ball. Last season he ran a career-high 90 times before breaking his hand against Toledo. He’s not spectacular athletically, but he’s strong, he runs hard and he’s a reliable veteran presence. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him start, depending on the health of Williams III and the development of the true freshman Whaley.

Others: Juan Day is healthy after suffering a torn ACL and will probably be third on the depth chart during the spring. True freshman T.J. Hammonds is likely to play receiver, but he could get an occasional carry. Denzell Evans and walk-on Connor McPherson could get reps during the spring, but a lot must happen for them to see significant game time.

There are still uncertainties at the position. But now Bielema and the Hogs have redundancies and contingencies at the position once again. And even with offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ ability to spark the passing game, it’s always going to be important for a Bielema-coached Arkansas team to be able to run the ball effectively.

If the re-worked offensive line can adjust well and the tight end group can remain helpful without Hunter Henry, it’s very possible that one of these running backs could even emerge as a 1,000-yard player in 2016.

No one would’ve seen that coming as the season came to its conclusion just a few months ago.