Arkansas Football: Bobby Petrino's Class Is Now in Session

As I mentioned in a previous article, Bobby Petrino has a few questions to answer now that he is the new head coach for Arkansas.

One of those questions asked how he would replace McFadden and Jones.  Well, he didn’t get another McFadden.  But Joe Adams, of Central Arkansas Christian School, resembles Percy Harvin on paper.  

Adams runs a 4.41 and has a 33 inch vertical.  He was originally headed to USC, but changed his mind in favor of Fayetteville. Petrino also brought in De' Anthony Curtis from Camden, Arkansas. 

In 2007 Curtis rushed 119 times for 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The quarterback situation was another big question and Petrino answered that one with ease.  He brought in transfer Ryan Mallet from Michigan. Also in this class was  Jim Youngblood.  

Youngblood is only a three-star prospect, but he runs 4.6.  The last quarterback with decent speed at the U of A was Matt Jones. 

Personally, I think that Youngblood is a shorter Jones with a little better accuracy.  He is 6'2'' and weighs 217 pounds.  From the film I've watched, he runs a darn good option, and despite his speed he is a pass first type of quarterback.

On the defensive side of the ball, Petrino didn’t bring in many big name prospects, but nonetheless he signed some good ones.  He focused mainly on the D-line and linebacker corps.

It will be interesting to see how well this year’s recruiting class shapes up.  I will give Arkansas a "B" for recruitment for right now, but it will take a few years to be absolutely sure just how well this well did in acquiring these prospects.

One note, Jamal Anderson of the Atlanta Falcons was only a two-star prospect out of high school.  Now look at him—a top 10 pick in the NFL draft leaving early from college, and a starter as a rookie in the NFL. 

So don’t pay too much attention to the rating of prospects.