Under center, under scrutiny
Quarterback battle takes center stage as spring practice begins
Matt Jones
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Sports
When it comes to Arkansas' starting quarterback position, the race is wide-open.
With spring practices beginning inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Tuesday, so did the competition for the man who will replace departing starter Casey Dick.
Redshirt sophomore Ryan Mallett and redshirt freshman Tyler Wilson are believed to be the front-runners for the position, though Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said redshirt freshman Jim Youngblood will also be in the mix.
"They will all get reps with the one group," Petrino said. "Probably Ryan and Tyler a little more and Jim will have to earn them a little bit more."
Mallett, who transferred to Arkansas from Michigan last winter, has lost more than 20 pounds since arriving on campus. While not being able to play in games, the Texarkana native directed the scout team offense last season and Petrino said the combination of his added agility and the tapes helped him during the offseason.
"Between last spring and then the fall and what we did on Sunday nights we have 455 reps on video of Ryan executing our offense," Petrino said. "You take that and break it down into cutups, he's been able to go in and watch himself operate the plays. It gives the coaches an understanding his strengths and weaknesses.
"It puts you a lot farther ahead than if he was just starting right now. One thing is he knows football very well and he's a quick learner. I think that will help him a lot, too. Obviously, he's got real good arm strength. He actually does a real nice job in our quick passing game. With his height, and he throws the ball with a real quick release, a lot of wrist and not so much arm movement involved really helps. He moves around better than I would have thought seeing how big his feet are. He can buy time to throw the ball down the field."
After a rough bout with mononucleosis, Wilson returned to the practice field 28 pounds heavier than when he first arrived last summer. Petrino said the added weight will help.
With spring practices beginning inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Tuesday, so did the competition for the man who will replace departing starter Casey Dick.
Redshirt sophomore Ryan Mallett and redshirt freshman Tyler Wilson are believed to be the front-runners for the position, though Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said redshirt freshman Jim Youngblood will also be in the mix.
"They will all get reps with the one group," Petrino said. "Probably Ryan and Tyler a little more and Jim will have to earn them a little bit more."
Mallett, who transferred to Arkansas from Michigan last winter, has lost more than 20 pounds since arriving on campus. While not being able to play in games, the Texarkana native directed the scout team offense last season and Petrino said the combination of his added agility and the tapes helped him during the offseason.
"Between last spring and then the fall and what we did on Sunday nights we have 455 reps on video of Ryan executing our offense," Petrino said. "You take that and break it down into cutups, he's been able to go in and watch himself operate the plays. It gives the coaches an understanding his strengths and weaknesses.
"It puts you a lot farther ahead than if he was just starting right now. One thing is he knows football very well and he's a quick learner. I think that will help him a lot, too. Obviously, he's got real good arm strength. He actually does a real nice job in our quick passing game. With his height, and he throws the ball with a real quick release, a lot of wrist and not so much arm movement involved really helps. He moves around better than I would have thought seeing how big his feet are. He can buy time to throw the ball down the field."
After a rough bout with mononucleosis, Wilson returned to the practice field 28 pounds heavier than when he first arrived last summer. Petrino said the added weight will help.
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