Former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is busy this off season trying to secure a new contract with the Oakland Raiders. Yet that pressure hasn't kept him from giving back to the community. McFadden hosted a youth football camp Friday at at Jarrell Williams Stadium in Springdale.
"It's always good to be home," said McFadden. "I love coming home. Just being able to give back to these kids, a lot of them look up to me."
275 youngsters showed up to the camp at Springdale High School, where McFadden was very hands-on in his teaching.
In his senior year at Pulaski Oak Grove, McFadden rushed for 1,965 yards and 27 touchdowns. At Arkansas he was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy twice and set a career rushing record of 4,590 yards from 2005-2007.
“If I can just leave one thing with them, being able to inspire them, that's what I want to do."
McFadden left Arkansas after his junior year in 2007 and has spent the last five years with the Raiders organization. So far he has rushed for 3,334 yards and 18 touchdowns on 769 carries while also catching 221 passes for 1,449 yards and five touchdowns.
Right now, his biggest priority is securing that new contract.
“It's very important,” said McFadden. “You want to go out there and have a great season every year, but with it being a contract year it's one of the most important seasons. I'm just going to go out there and play ball and let my work show on the field.”
McFadden will be joined on the field this season by former Hog quarterback Tyler Wilson. They report to training camp on July 25th.