University of Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino hasn't been on campus much since taking over last November, but he's already made a strong impression on the Razorbacks' quarterback room — something Hog fans should be excited about. is.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jacolby Criswell has had quite a bit of offensive scheme in his college career. In the end, he started at North Carolina and transferred to Arkansas for the 2023-24 season. But for the Morrilton native, Petrino's offense stands out even more than what he saw during Petrino's blitzing tenure in Fayetteville from 2008 to 2011.
“I grew up in Arkansas, so I watched his offense from a young age,” Criswell said Saturday. “I didn't actually know, but I should have known it was explosive. Now that I'm in, his offense is probably the most explosive I've ever been a part of. It’s one of the offenses.”
“It's not hard for a quarterback, but you have to know the details for the quarterback's offense. That being said, the quarterback has all the tools. He gives everything he needs. “You just go out there and perform.” “As a quarterback, you love that. You love controlling the whole offense. Overall, you're explosive, and I love that.” love.”
Legendary Arkansas signal callers like Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson wouldn't have become the players they are today without Petrino's help and development. With a new group of quarterbacks in town, Petrino will have his work cut out for him, but the next big story could be Taylen Green's move.
Green, a 6-foot-6, 221-pound redshirt junior, was a dynamic signal caller for Boise State in 2022-2023. Over the past two seasons, the Texas native has totaled 3,794 passing yards and 25 touchdowns through the air, while gaining an additional 1,022 yards on the ground and 19 rushing scores. He is ready to take the next step and Coach Petrino is already teaching him the intricacies of the position.
“Just knowing football, knowing the ins and outs, knowing the why,” Green said Saturday. “Why the concept works for which coverage. Just reading my book, but the important thing is to stay consistent with it and be consistent with my footwork and (Petrino) And what he said to us, we have expectations on every drive.''Our goal is to score and we're going to continue to score.''
“If we don't score, he's going to come at us. That's what I like about it. He definitely makes it real. Sometimes you don't want to hear it, but you have to. No, I need that information.’ You just have to keep it real and be honest with that person, and that’s what I like to do. ”
Redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton was scouted by former offensive coordinator Kendall Briles at Arkansas and completed 11-of-15 passes for 96 yards and a 96-yard pass in the Hogs' first open scrimmage of the spring on Saturday. impressed with his ability.
Petrino's reign has given Singleton new opportunities to shine after not getting any playing time under the Razorbacks' previous two play-callers, Dan Enos and Briles.
“I like that he wants us to be explosive in the run game as well as the passing game,” Singleton said Saturday. “He just wants us to be smart football players. Like Jacolby said earlier, he gives us the keys to our offense. He guides us to the right plays, and he just wants us to be smart football players. It's our responsibility to lead to the right run checks. We just really have the keys.''I'm really grateful to be able to contribute to the offense and play my game and our game.''
It's no surprise that Petrino, known for his attention to detail and keen sense of offense and defense, spent a lot of time at the whiteboard in Fayetteville's quarterback room.
“He explains every play in detail,” Green said. “Literally from corner to corner. He was never surprised by any look on the defense. Every question we had, he had an answer. We wouldn't give him a minute. He I would answer that like that. That's what I think “love, and what we love as quarterbacks.'' ”
Singleton also made sure to point out his experience on the whiteboard with Petrino, which should be music to Hogs fans' ears after the terrible offense that Arkansas had last season.
“Yeah, when he gets up there, he can draw five different blitzes with that formation, that protection,” Singleton said. “We can pick up everything. We have a chance to change our protection to pick it up. He understands it in such detail that it's very easy for us to pick it up. It just makes it really easy for them.”
Petrino and the Razorbacks are scheduled to practice again on Tuesday, so be sure to follow HawgBeat and premium bulletin board The Trough for all coverage of Arkansas' spring practice.
