2008 Woodie Awards
Freshmen looking to make impact
Razorback Football
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
Arkansas first year head coach Bobby Petrino knew that he would have to start a few true freshmen this year.
Petrino said every recruit was told to prepare both mentally and physically to play this fall, but he just didn't know he would play this many.
After having a good two-hour meeting after a weekend scrimmage, the staff listed 10 true freshmen on offense and eight on defense on the two-deep depth chart. Five true freshmen are penciled in as starters heading into the season-opening game against Western Illinois this weekend.
Petrino said the team needs to get solid play out of the freshmen while depending on the experienced offensive and defensive lines.
"There are a lot of [true freshmen] out there," Petrino said. "They have had a good three weeks of practice. They certainly will have a lot to learn as far as the speed of the game and how fast it's going to go. We have good leadership upfront on both sides of the ball. We are going to have to rely on them on leading the way for us."
Freshman Jelani Smith has stepped up and impressed Petrino with his ability to play the position and is listed atop the depth chart at weak side linebacker.
"The kid likes to hit," Petrino said. "He likes to run and hit, and he plays real physical. He has done a great job learning the scheme and he has a lot of natural instincts. He really understands blocking schemes--how to slip them and how to take them on. The production in the scrimmages he was in was off the charts in how many tackles and assists he made."
After strong scrimmage performances from freshman Jarius Wright, he was listed as a starting wide receiver and punt returner. Fellow freshmen Mitchell Bailey, Jerry Franklin and Elton Ford all earned starting jobs at fullback, middle linebacker and safety.
But Petrino said that his players know that the depth chart isn't set in stone.
"We tell our players you get an opportunity everyday to get better or worse," Petrino said. "You get an opportunity to move up the depth chart or let someone go by you. It's an ongoing evaluation, and it will be as the year goes on."
Petrino said every recruit was told to prepare both mentally and physically to play this fall, but he just didn't know he would play this many.
After having a good two-hour meeting after a weekend scrimmage, the staff listed 10 true freshmen on offense and eight on defense on the two-deep depth chart. Five true freshmen are penciled in as starters heading into the season-opening game against Western Illinois this weekend.
Petrino said the team needs to get solid play out of the freshmen while depending on the experienced offensive and defensive lines.
"There are a lot of [true freshmen] out there," Petrino said. "They have had a good three weeks of practice. They certainly will have a lot to learn as far as the speed of the game and how fast it's going to go. We have good leadership upfront on both sides of the ball. We are going to have to rely on them on leading the way for us."
Freshman Jelani Smith has stepped up and impressed Petrino with his ability to play the position and is listed atop the depth chart at weak side linebacker.
"The kid likes to hit," Petrino said. "He likes to run and hit, and he plays real physical. He has done a great job learning the scheme and he has a lot of natural instincts. He really understands blocking schemes--how to slip them and how to take them on. The production in the scrimmages he was in was off the charts in how many tackles and assists he made."
After strong scrimmage performances from freshman Jarius Wright, he was listed as a starting wide receiver and punt returner. Fellow freshmen Mitchell Bailey, Jerry Franklin and Elton Ford all earned starting jobs at fullback, middle linebacker and safety.
But Petrino said that his players know that the depth chart isn't set in stone.
"We tell our players you get an opportunity everyday to get better or worse," Petrino said. "You get an opportunity to move up the depth chart or let someone go by you. It's an ongoing evaluation, and it will be as the year goes on."
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