2008 Woodie Awards
Grabbing attention
Off-season work paying off for Wade, receivers
Matt Jones
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Sports
Marques Wade hasn't caught a pass in his Razorback career, but that isn't keeping the redshirt freshman from catching attention in spring practice. And while the official depth chart hasn't been released, there is little doubt Wade will be near the top of the receiver position when it is.
Wade attributes his progress to a successful off-season of workouts.
"We went through a lot of hard work…just putting our bodies through conditioning and getting ready to go [for the spring]," Wade said.
A former NFL player at a recent Razorback workout said Wade was moving his hips better than any of the other receivers on the team.
Wade said more stretching and extra reps on the squat machine have made that possible.
Fellow Razorback receiver London Crawford, who arrived with Wade on the Arkansas campus in 2006, said working with cones and a ball machine have made Wade's hands better.
"Our freshman year I played a little bit and he was a redshirt," Crawford said. "He's made some tough strides and got a lot better. We came out here in the off-season and worked hard. I told him, 'If we work hard, I feel we could be two of the best receivers in the SEC.
"Basically, he came out and gave it his all. I'm proud of Marques."
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, who also serves as the team's wide receivers coach, said they are looking for players to step up with the departure of Marcus Monk.
"They're just trying to find a leader," Wade said. "I'm not necessarily saying I'm the one, but [they're pushing] me.
"I want to be [the leader]. It's hard work, but I'm going to try to be that guy."
Wade has worked out with the first-team offense throughout much of the spring practice and caught two passes for 15 yards in the team's first scrimmage last Sunday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Crawford said he is looking at Wade to be a leader as well.
Wade attributes his progress to a successful off-season of workouts.
"We went through a lot of hard work…just putting our bodies through conditioning and getting ready to go [for the spring]," Wade said.
A former NFL player at a recent Razorback workout said Wade was moving his hips better than any of the other receivers on the team.
Wade said more stretching and extra reps on the squat machine have made that possible.
Fellow Razorback receiver London Crawford, who arrived with Wade on the Arkansas campus in 2006, said working with cones and a ball machine have made Wade's hands better.
"Our freshman year I played a little bit and he was a redshirt," Crawford said. "He's made some tough strides and got a lot better. We came out here in the off-season and worked hard. I told him, 'If we work hard, I feel we could be two of the best receivers in the SEC.
"Basically, he came out and gave it his all. I'm proud of Marques."
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, who also serves as the team's wide receivers coach, said they are looking for players to step up with the departure of Marcus Monk.
"They're just trying to find a leader," Wade said. "I'm not necessarily saying I'm the one, but [they're pushing] me.
"I want to be [the leader]. It's hard work, but I'm going to try to be that guy."
Wade has worked out with the first-team offense throughout much of the spring practice and caught two passes for 15 yards in the team's first scrimmage last Sunday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Crawford said he is looking at Wade to be a leader as well.
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