Aside from his personal transgressions, Bobby Petrino did build an arsenal at Arkansas and left a full cupboard, particularly offensively, for interim (if that’s what they call him) coach John L. Smith. Tyler Wilson is primed for an All-American, and even possible Heisman Trophy year. Wilson, who threw for 3,638 yards last year with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions, looks like he’s going to pick up where he left off and then some. In the spring game, Wilson was 31-for-41 for 467 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Granted, he was playing against his second team defense, and the Hogs are not known for their defense, but he was right on the money with most of his passes.
He lost his two leading receivers from last year, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams, but Cobi Hamilton, who caught 34 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns last year, is back. Hamilton caught 11 passes for 156 yards in the spring game and looked every bit as good as Wright and Adams. They’ve got other weapons. Tight end Chris Gragg is one of them. He caught nine balls for 130 yards in the spring game with two TDs including a 60-yarder which was a beautiful catch and run by Gragg off a pass from Wilson. Gragg is going to be All-SEC maybe All-American. He’s that good. He’s a converted wide receiver who has nice size (6’3″, 236) and tremendous athletic ability. Marquel Wade is another weapon. He caught six passes for 136 yards and one 48-yard TD. He looks like he can fill Adams’ role at slot receiver. He’s a guy who can go the distance on a short pass. Julian Horton is another talented receiver. He caught four passes for 48 yards in the spring game. He’s another good target. Keante Minor, Javontee Herndon and Maudrecus Humphrey are three others who can get it done on the perimeter.
The running game looks outstanding as well. Knile Davis is back. He only had one carry in the spring game, but he ran a 4.33 40 prior to the spring, so his speed is definitely back. He was a major force in 2010 running for 1,300 yards. He’s coming back from a broken ankle suffered prior to last season. He looks ready to go. Two other backs who will play major roles are Ronnie Wingo, Jr. and Dennis Johnson. Wingo ran for 88 yards in the spring game and Johnson 73. Wingo has that burstability; the ability to break the long one. Johnson is a power back with good speed. The running game is well stocked. The offensive line looked solid. They’ll be opening a lot of holes for Davis and company, and giving Wilson plenty of time to throw. Senior tackle Jason Peacock (6’4″, 305) is the leader of the group.
Another key component to the offense is offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, Bobby’s brother who has that same attacking, quick striking style that his brother had. He can also pound you with his running game and possession passing. The offense is exceptional.
Defense has always been the question mark for the Hogs, and has probably kept them from winning an SEC title under Petrino. But they have been building up the talent and look better on defense. They have a first year defensive coordinator in Paul Haynes, who brings an aggressive, attacking style to the defense. Like some of the linebackers, particularly Tenarius Wright (6’2″,252) and Robert Atiga (6’3″, 240). Safety Ross Rasner (6’0″, 212) can lay the wood. Aggressive player who seems to be always around the ball. They have good players in the secondary in corners Tervin Mitchell (6’0″,192) and Darius Winston (6’0″,191). Don’t know if this kid will be a starter, but Kaelon Kelleybrew, a cornerback, was all over the field in the spring game and had a nice int.
Do the Hogs have enough defense this year? They’re competent enough defensively to win a lot of ball games because that offense is so good. Didn’t know if Arkansas could beat Alabama and LSU this year, even at home. But after watching them in the spring game, they have a very good shot, if Wilson and the offensive skill players stay healthy.
The schedule is very favorable with Alabama at Fayetteville on Sept. 15 and LSU coming to Fayetteville on Nov.23, the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Hogs have to travel to A&M (Sept. 29) and Auburn (Oct.6) in consecutive weeks, and they have to go to South Carolina (Nov.10) and State (Nov. 17). But there is a lot to like about this team. This could be the year of the Hogs. They are explosive and so talented offensively and while not dominant on defense, they have about 10 or 15 good players. If their defense can hold their own and they stay healthy, the Razorbacks have a chance to be very special: play in Atlanta and play for it all.