Small played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Hartnell College, a junior college in Salinas, CA. He signed with the University of Arkansas in 2011 as an inside linebacker, but was moved to offense and converted to a fullback prior to his junior season with the Razorbacks. Arkansas finished 2011 ranked #5 in the final polls with an 11-2 record after beating Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic. Small suffered an injury early in his 2012 senior campaign and was forced to redshirt. As a redshirt senior in 2013, Small played a significant role in Bret Bielema's first season as a devastating blocking back, as well as a receiver out of the backfield, scoring 3 rushing touchdowns and 1 receiving for the season.