This story is the fourth installment of a four-part series featuring the 2023 A-State Hall of Honor inductees.
From the time Reggie Arnold stepped foot on the Arkansas State campus ahead of the 2006 season, he set out on a trajectory that put him among the best in a long line of talented running backs in the school's history.
His Arkansas State football career (2006-09) included three All-Sun Belt Conference seasons and nearly 4,000 yards rushing. The All-Centennial Team running back will add another honor to his resumé on Friday night when he is inducted into the A-State Hall of Honor at the Lettermen's Club annual banquet.
"Being selected was the cherry on top of my football career and it brought tears to my eyes," Arnold said. "When I stepped onto the Arkansas State campus and took a tour of the stadium, I saw all of the guys up there – Ray Brown and Richie Woit and others. I told myself that one day my name was going to be in there. To finally see that feat accomplished was definitely rewarding to my spirit."
Arnold ranks among the program's all-time leading rushers, racking up 3,933 yards in his storied tenure. He ranks second in career rushing touchdowns (33) and is the program's all-time leader in rushing attempts (737). The Little Rock native rushed for 100-plus yards in 17 games, and recorded three seasons of 1,000 or more rushing yards – finishing under 300 yards shy of joining elite company as one of nine players in the history of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with four 1,000-yard seasons.
The Little Rock native began his Arkansas State football career with a bang, racking up 1,076 yards and averaging over 5 yards per carry en route to Freshman All-America and Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year laurels in 2006 as a redshirt freshman.
He avoided the sophomore slump in 2007, scoring nine times and averaging 6.5 yards per carry while totaling 1,060 yards on the ground to become the only A-State player to record 1,000 yards or more in his first two seasons. Arnold earned All-Sun Belt honors for the second year in a row, while his average per rush ranked second in the nation.
The 2008 season – the program's first as Red Wolves – opened in thrilling fashion with Arnold rushing for 145 yards on 21 carries in an 18-14 victory at Texas A&M. He later followed with 150 yards in a November win over Florida Atlantic and finished the season with 1,074 yards on the ground to become the third player in school history with over 3,000 yards rushing.
Looking to join the elite group of backs with four 1,000-yard campaigns, Arnold's season began with a preseason All-America selection. While he rushed for 723 yards, he found the end zone a career-best 12 times as a senior to move into a tie for second all-time in program history in career rushing touchdowns.
While his career accolades, highlights and statistics are unforgettable, Arnold's legacy will be etched in A-State lore as he is installed Friday night into the prestigious Hall of Honor.
