Arkansas Razorbacks
Ryan Mallett
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett passes against East Carolina in the first quarter of the Liberty Bowl.
The Associated PressPublished: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 7:39 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 7:39 p.m.
Across the southeast, spring has sprung, bringing SEC football with it. Gatorsports.com provides you with in-depth previews of all 12 teams.
ARKANSAS
2009 record: 8-5 overall, 3-5 in SEC
Practice starts: March 30
Spring game: April 24
Recruiting: Arkansas signed 26 commitments, a class ranked No. 35 by Scout. The list is led by four-star signee Calvin Barnett (DT, 6-foot-3, 305 pounds) of Tulsa, Okla., who broke his verbal commitment to Oklahoma State.
Early enrollees: QB Jacoby Walker
Offseason changes: The Hogs lost three starters on offense from the 2009 team, including running back Michael Smith, wide receiver London Crawford and offensive guard Mitch Petrus. On defense, the Razorbacks lost four, including defensive end Adrian Davis, defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, middle linebacker Wendel Davis, safety Matt Harris and cornerback Jerell Norton (who declared for NFL). Arkansas hired two new assistant coaches in defensive line coach Steve Caldwell, who held the same position for 14 years at Tennessee under coach Phil Fulmer, and offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, who spent the previous six years at Nevada using the successful Pistol formation (averaged NCAA-leading 344.92 yards per game rushing in 2009).
Top priorities for spring
Defense: With such an explosive offense, what separates this team from becoming a bigger threat in the SEC West is its defense, which in 2009 ranked last in the league in total defense (401.8) and pass defense (251.8). Suffice to say improvements here are a top priority. Head coach Bobby Petrino is particularly concerned about lack of depth at linebacker and the secondary, which gave up too many big plays last season. The unit should be better with the return of cornerback Isaac Madison, sidelined all of last year because of a knee injury. Junior middle linebacker Jerry Franklin (Jr., 6-1, 241), who led the team in tackles last season, also returns. The defensive line lost two starters, but Petrino seems confident the line will be solid with sophomore DeQuinta Jones (6-5, 307), senior Patrick Jones (6-1, 309), sophomore Alfred Davis (6-1, 326) and sophomore Tenarius Wright (6-1, 238) battling for playing time.
Running back: Gone is tailback Michael Smith, an explosive threat and dependable receiver out of the backfield who missed most of last season with a hamstring injury. The Razorbacks certainly have depth at running back, but are looking for someone to step in as the primary back. Among the contenders that Petrino has high expectations for is sophomore speedster Ronnie Wingo Jr., whose weight is up to 230 pounds and seems primed for breakout year. Also returning is junior power back Broderick Green (6-2, 250) and junior Dennis Johnson (5-9, 205), who ran for 107 yards in Arkansas' near upset at Florida last season.
Quarterback: With the SEC's top quarterback, junior Ryan Mallett (3,624 yards, 30 TDs in 2009), sidelined after foot surgery in February, the Razorbacks will be looking for someone to seize the backup role this spring. Sophomore Tyler Wilson, redshirt freshman Brandon Mitchell and true freshman Jacoby Walker, who checked into school early, are the candidates. Wilson has the most experience, passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Spring strengths
Wide receivers: Arkansas returns its top five passing targets from 2009 in Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton and all-SEC tight end D.J. Williams. The group combined for 169 receptions, 2,901 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Offensive line: Arkansas only lost one offensive lineman from last season, and this season's line, led by senior tackle Ray Dominguez (6-4, 329), is very experienced and should be one the SEC's best.
ARKANSAS
2009 record: 8-5 overall, 3-5 in SEC
Practice starts: March 30
Spring game: April 24
Recruiting: Arkansas signed 26 commitments, a class ranked No. 35 by Scout. The list is led by four-star signee Calvin Barnett (DT, 6-foot-3, 305 pounds) of Tulsa, Okla., who broke his verbal commitment to Oklahoma State.
Early enrollees: QB Jacoby Walker
Offseason changes: The Hogs lost three starters on offense from the 2009 team, including running back Michael Smith, wide receiver London Crawford and offensive guard Mitch Petrus. On defense, the Razorbacks lost four, including defensive end Adrian Davis, defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, middle linebacker Wendel Davis, safety Matt Harris and cornerback Jerell Norton (who declared for NFL). Arkansas hired two new assistant coaches in defensive line coach Steve Caldwell, who held the same position for 14 years at Tennessee under coach Phil Fulmer, and offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, who spent the previous six years at Nevada using the successful Pistol formation (averaged NCAA-leading 344.92 yards per game rushing in 2009).
Top priorities for spring
Defense: With such an explosive offense, what separates this team from becoming a bigger threat in the SEC West is its defense, which in 2009 ranked last in the league in total defense (401.8) and pass defense (251.8). Suffice to say improvements here are a top priority. Head coach Bobby Petrino is particularly concerned about lack of depth at linebacker and the secondary, which gave up too many big plays last season. The unit should be better with the return of cornerback Isaac Madison, sidelined all of last year because of a knee injury. Junior middle linebacker Jerry Franklin (Jr., 6-1, 241), who led the team in tackles last season, also returns. The defensive line lost two starters, but Petrino seems confident the line will be solid with sophomore DeQuinta Jones (6-5, 307), senior Patrick Jones (6-1, 309), sophomore Alfred Davis (6-1, 326) and sophomore Tenarius Wright (6-1, 238) battling for playing time.
Running back: Gone is tailback Michael Smith, an explosive threat and dependable receiver out of the backfield who missed most of last season with a hamstring injury. The Razorbacks certainly have depth at running back, but are looking for someone to step in as the primary back. Among the contenders that Petrino has high expectations for is sophomore speedster Ronnie Wingo Jr., whose weight is up to 230 pounds and seems primed for breakout year. Also returning is junior power back Broderick Green (6-2, 250) and junior Dennis Johnson (5-9, 205), who ran for 107 yards in Arkansas' near upset at Florida last season.
Quarterback: With the SEC's top quarterback, junior Ryan Mallett (3,624 yards, 30 TDs in 2009), sidelined after foot surgery in February, the Razorbacks will be looking for someone to seize the backup role this spring. Sophomore Tyler Wilson, redshirt freshman Brandon Mitchell and true freshman Jacoby Walker, who checked into school early, are the candidates. Wilson has the most experience, passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Spring strengths
Wide receivers: Arkansas returns its top five passing targets from 2009 in Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton and all-SEC tight end D.J. Williams. The group combined for 169 receptions, 2,901 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Offensive line: Arkansas only lost one offensive lineman from last season, and this season's line, led by senior tackle Ray Dominguez (6-4, 329), is very experienced and should be one the SEC's best.
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