Arkansas Razorbacks: Will New Faces Take Hogs To New Places?

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Even after a disappointing 5-7 outing last year, the Arkansas Razorback players and coaches have a spring (sorry, pun intended) in their step this Spring. Many players have gained weight and maintained or even gained speed in off-season workouts and the attitude and work ethic during the offseason has transferred to Spring practice with many players trying to solidify or win a starting position.

With 16 freshmen starting or making significant contributions last season, the Razorbacks are ripe with young talent that now has SEC experience and a year under Coach Petrino's system.

But Coach Petrino believes in competition and even incoming or red-shirt freshmen will have a chance to win a starting spot or playing time. Which new faces will make a difference this year for the Hogs? Let's do some name dropping, so when they are famous, we can say “I told you so!”

Quarterback:

Ok, maybe Ryan Mallett shouldn't be considered a new face, since he started several games at Michigan during his freshmen season (61/141 892 YD 7 TD 5 INT), but after sitting out a year at Arkansas he has shown off his strong arm in practice and appears to be the heir apparent.

Hog fans are pleased and excited about his potential to say the least. Don't count out medical hardship red-shirt freshman Tyler Wilson (11/22 69 YD 1 TD 2 INT last season) though. He has looked good during spring practice and has all the skills to give Mallett a run for his money, or at least push him to improve. Jim Youngblood is solid as well and said to be the best running QB of the three.

Running Backs:

It appeared the Razorbacks had a virtual plethora of powerful and speedy backs ready to explode into Spring practice this year. True freshman Knile Davis (4-star, out of Texas) impressed coaches and fans alike with his work ethic and speed, but broke his ankle and will be out for the rest of the Spring.

Broderick Green, a 4 star transfer from USC, is a powerful but speedy bruiser who is the kind of big running back that Coach Petrino has been looking for...but his status is uncertain and he may or may not be available for fall pending a NCAA decision.

Two backs from last year are injured (Michael Smith, Dennis Johnson), but De' Anthony Curtis, who had 23 carries last year, has stood out in practice and Brandon Barnett

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