Calling the Hogs

Ross Brown Photo — White quarterback Nick Petrino rears back to pass in Arkansas' spring football game. The Whites won the contest 31-21 on April 24 at Razorbacks Stadium.

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks’ Red-White scrimmage last Saturday turned turned out to be a showcase for the Razorbacks’ quarterbacks even though starter and potential Heisman Trophy candidate Ryan Mallett watched from the sidelines as he did all spring.

Mallett foot is expected to be healed by at least mid June and barring another injury he not only is the unquestioned starter under center but also the team’s leader. But, that does not mean his understudies can’t play the game.

Tyler Wilson, Brandon Mitchell, Jacoby Walker and Nick Petrino all acquitted themselves well in the Red-White contest, which the White squad won 31-21.

Wilson, a sophomore, completed 8 of 15 throws for 133 yards and a touchdown, while red-shirt freshman Brandon Mitchell completed 2 of 5 passes for 80 yards, walk-on Petrino was 9 of 17 for 63 yards and true freshman Jacoby Walker was 6 of 11 for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Behind Mallett, Wilson is the quarterback who is the most ready to play. He has a deeper understanding of the offense, the most accurate arm of the four and the team’s trust. But Mitchell progressed a great deal in the spring and his size (6-3, 230) and natural athletic ability adds a dimension to the offense that neither Mallett nor Wilson can match.

That was evident when he turned a bit of busted play into an 88-yard touchdown. Now, understand, a third-team safety was suckered in on a fake and that allowed Mitchell to go the distance on the run. Things won’t be that easy in SEC play, but Mitchell is an intriguing athlete who is learning how to be a complete quarterback.

The same can be said for Walker, who gave up the second semester of his high school senior year to join the Razorbacks. While Wilson and Mitchell’s play may have suffered a bit by splitting up the teams, Walker’s actually benefited. Walker predominately practiced with the third team in the spring, but got to work with a combination of first- and second-team linemen in the scrimmage and it made a difference. With time to throw, he has a nice arm and like Mitchell has the wheels to make something happen when a play breaks down.

At 5-10, Petrino is a bit small for a SEC quarterback, but his understanding and execution of the offense is nearly on par with Wilson’s. He could play in a pinch, and it would not hinder Arkansas’ play calling at all. That’s saying a lot for a guy who will occupy the fourth spot on the Hogs’ quarterback depth chart behind Mallett, Wilson and Mitchell next fall. In fact, he is ahead of Mitchell in understanding of the offense and execution.

Arkansas’ playable depth at quarterback is a testament to the work done by head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Garrick McGee.

McGee said last week that Arkansas’ program is about developing quarterbacks, and that is evident from watching practice and watching practice and watching the quarterbacks perform.

I would venture to say there is not a program in America that has better coached quarterbacks. That is the reputation Petrino had first as an assistant and later as a head coach. It is that reputation that brought McGee to his coaching staff.

Look out for McGee, too. He will make a fine head coach for a program some day, and it might be soon. A break-out season for the Hogs this year might just do the trick for the Hogs’ impressive offensive coordinator.