Arkansas Football: 7 Razorbacks to Be Excited About in 2012

After a stellar 11-2 finish and a Cotton Bowl victory in 2011, the Arkansas Razorbacks are looking to show the country that they are no one-year wonder. 

Bobby Petrino and company are working every day to improve on last season's results, as they should have their eye on the big prize: bringing a national championship back to Arkansas.

Here are seven players who will help get them there in 2012. 

Knile Davis

Knile Davis is looking to bounce back after a broken ankle sidelined him for the entire 2011 season. He tested the NFL draft waters and thought about entering despite not playing last year, but he decided to return to Arkansas for another year.

He terrorized defenses in 2010 as the Hogs' primary option at running back, rushing for 1,322 yards (most in the SEC) and 13 touchdowns in only about nine games of significant action. 

Davis should once again be an integral part of the offense, creating a good balance of running and passing on what should be one of the best offenses in the SEC once again.

Tenarius Wright

With Jake Bequette leaving for the NFL, Tenarius Wright will become the team's most feared pass-rusher. He struggled with staying healthy in 2011, playing in just seven games and notching 1.5 sacks. 

Expect him to return to the form he had in his sophomore year now that he is arguably the team's best defensive end. Like Bequette, Wright is a little on the smaller side for a defensive lineman, but he uses his quickness to his advantage.

New defensive coordinator Paul Haynes would love to see Wright have a breakout year in his new defensive scheme.

Tyler Wilson

Tyler Wilson returns to Arkansas after a great junior season, and he will look to build on that success in 2012.

Wilson has shown that he is one of the more efficient passers in all of college football, throwing only six interceptions in 438 attempts in 2011. 

It may be hard losing his two favorite receivers, Joe Adams and Jarius Wright, to the NFL draft, but he shouldn't see any loss in production. The coaching staff has done a great job over the past few years developing skill players, so Wilson will be able to throw the ball to many different targets.

Wilson is considered the No. 3 quarterback prospect in the 2013 NFL draft by CBSSports.com, and he could certainly improve his stock even more with a stellar season this fall. 

Dennis Johnson

Knile Davis will assume the role as the No. 1 option at running back in 2012, but that doesn't mean Dennis Johnson will see a decrease in touches. 

Johnson was the leading rusher for the Hogs in 2011, running for 670 yards (averaging 6.3 yards a carry) while Davis sat out from injury. Johnson missed all of 2010 with an injury, so the two haven't played together since 2009, Davis' freshman year. 

With both Johnson and Davis back at full strength, opposing defenses will feel the pain of a strong Arkansas backfield.

Johnson also has made an impact as a kick returner during his time in Fayetteville, returning three kickoffs for touchdowns.

Chris Gragg

Chris Gragg had a great junior season at tight end, catching 41 balls for 518 yards and two touchdowns. The tight end was one of the more important positions when Paul Petrino was last in charge of the offense, and he will continue that legacy now that Petrino is back in Arkansas.

Tight end D.J. Williams had 61 and 32 catches in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively, under offensive coordinator Petrino before he left for Illinois. Now, Petrino is back and ready to help make Gragg a star.  

Gragg will continue to build chemistry with quarterback Tyler Wilson and could be the front-runner as the best tight end in the SEC.

Marquel Wade

Cobi Hamilton will be the No. 1 receiver, but if you've watched the Hogs over the past few years, it is easy to see that Bobby Petrino likes to spread the ball around to different guys.  

Marquel Wade is a similar player to Joe Adams, a receiver with tons of speed and big-play ability. He is probably most well-known for his hit on Vanderbilt player Jonathan Krause last season, but he's seen by the team as a promising young player.

Like Adams did in 2011, Wade can also make a big impact in the return game. He is a good candidate to be the Hogs' breakout player on offense in 2012. 

Tevin Mitchel

With the departure of seniors Tramain Thomas, Issac Madison and Greg Gatson, the secondary may be the area the defense is most worried about.

Tevin Mitchel saw consistent playing time as a true freshman in 2011 and will be asked to handle a heavier load at the cornerback spot. At 6'1" and 185 pounds, Mitchel has good size for his age and could eventually develop into one of the better cornerbacks in the SEC.

Look for Eric Bennett and Darius Winston to also play big roles, as the Hogs secondary will have big shoes to fill.