FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas running back Kody Walker has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Walker suffered season-ending injuries in 2011 and 2012. He has been reclassified as a junior and will be eligible to play in 2016.

“We are very excited to have Kody with us for an additional season,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. “Adversity has defined him throughout his career and he has championed the moment. Every person on our staff and every player in our locker room is pulling for Kody to succeed and we expect him to be a major contributor to our football team these next two years.”

As a true freshman, Walker scored five touchdowns in the first three games of the 2011 season. He suffered a stress fracture in his shins during a game against Troy, which caused him to miss the rest of the year.

He returned the next season and scored a touchdown in the opener against Jacksonville State, but broke his leg in the Razorbacks' loss to Louisiana-Monroe at War Memorial Stadium.

Walker ran for 149 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries last season. He is expected to be the Razorbacks' starting fullback in the fall.

During Arkansas' spring game earlier this year, Walker rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns.