Arkansas Begins Spring Football Practice: Josh's Ten Most Noteworthy Items

I was at Arkansas' spring football practice on both Saturday and Sunday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Here are some initial thoughts:


#1: Ryan Mallett is a physical beast. At almost 6'7, 260 pounds, he's a man among men, even here at the SEC level. His right arm is clearly cannon-like, and his accuracy looked better than I expected it would. Bobby Petrino sure would love having this guy eligible right away. Don't count on the NCAA letting that one happen though.

#2: All the quarterbacks looked pretty good. Remember, only four QBs are practicing right now, with Tyler Wilson and Jim Youngblood (still in high school) yet to join the team. But the four guys in place right now---Ryan Mallet, Casey & Nathan Dick, Alex Mortenson---have each looked impressive so far. Mallet has the biggest arm, Casey's the most experienced, Nathan just might be the most accurate, while Alex has the best head on his shoulders. Bobby Petrino is making progress with all these guys by the day.

#3: Maybe Arkansas won't be so awful at tailback. Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett didn't make anyone forget Darren McFadden and Felix Jones this weekend (and no one ever will), but they didn't look half-bad either. Smith is small, but he's quick and slinky too, showing a good ability to bounce his runs to the outside . . . Barnett, meanwhile, is a bowling ball, with a strong lower body that bears some comparison to Jacksonville Jaguars' RB Maurice Jones-Drew. With those two backs in place, and stud freshman DeAnthony Curtis (Camden Fairview) waiting in the wings, running back should prove to be one of Arkansas's smallest concerns this year.

#4: The returning wide receivers are on the hot seat---and they know it. Guys like London Crawford, Marques Wade, Rod Coleman and Carlton Salters all have lots of work to do if they want to get playing time next year. Experienced (to a degree) returnees Lucas Miller, Reggie Fish and Crosby Tuck have some work to do as well. With so many talented recruits coming in at the position (Joe Adams anyone?), there is no more time for this group to waste. Showing much steadier hands, Crawford has impressed me the most with his progress so far.

#5: With All-America center Jonathan Luigs back, alongside experienced guys in Mitch Petrus, Ray Dominguez, DeMarcus Love and Jose Valdez, there's no doubt the offensive line will be effective this year. And that's not including any of last year's redshirts or this year's linemen recruits.

#6: Defense is a big concern. Let me emphasize the adjective "big" again, as the whole group is basically starting over. Jerrell Norton, Jamar Love and Rashad Johnson return most of the experience in the secondary. Honestly, the cover guys worry me more than any unit on the team right now. I wonder whether or not the speed is there to keep pace with the more explosive teams---LSU, Florida, Georgia---in the conference.

#7: Freddie Fairchild's absence is probably a blessing in disguise. Even without the most athletic linebacker on the team, Petrino's middle-of-the-field corps has appeared surprisingly effective so far. Guys like Ryan Powers and Jerry Franklin are making significant progress.

#8: The defensive front four will be better than you think. With talented tackles returning in Ernest Mitchell and Malcolm Sheppard, the Hogs should be good up the gut. But will Antowain Robinson ever refind his pass rushing swagger? And how effective can converted TE to DE Jake Bequette be? Only time will tell.

#9: There's a sense of urgency and an overall energy at spring practice that wasn't there the last couple of seasons. Nothing against Houston Nutt and his way of doing things, but Bobby Petrino's style is way more fun to watch. Constantly moving his players and coaches around, it's no wonder Petrino has developed a reputation for being a bit of a showman at times. Good for him.

#10: No easier job than being a kicker or punter, huh? Alex Tejada and Jeremy Davis hung out alone at the Walker Pavilion this weekend while the rest of the team was sprinting and hustling all over the place inside Razorback Stadium. Nice life if you can get it.


-JAB