Petrino Releases Two More Players

And then there were none

Coming off a great season and run to Arkansas’ first BCS appearance in the Sugar Bowl, few fans of the Razorbacks have much room to question head coach Bobby Petrino and his handling of the football team. But one has to wonder if his penchant to “cut the fat” from the roster will end up costing him a game or two in the future. Two more players were released from the Razorback football team on Monday; redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jatashun Beachum and redshirt freshman tight end Denton Simek.

Reports from Fayetteville, Arkansas claim that Beachum left due to academic woes and Simek left because of the backlog of players at tight end. Simek was moved from center to tight end during the 2010 season, before senior Seth Oxner left the team for Arkansas-Monticello. The “backlog” of tight ends on the Razorback depth chart currently include junior Chris Gragg, sophomore Austin Tate, freshman walk-on Garrett Uekman, and junior Colton Miles-Nash, a position transfer from defensive end.

Times are changing with the Razorback football program, hopefully all for the better. At some point the loss of players, seemingly, will negatively affect their graduation rate which could cost the team scholarships in the upcoming years. Speculation is several current Razorback underclassmen will make the jump to the NFL following the 2011 season. Depth and graduation rates will remain an outside concern for university officials and fans until given a reason to no longer worry.

10 and Counting

Ten scholarship players are no longer with the Razorback football team since spring practice ended. A few of these departures cause reasons for concern with quality depth and scout team preparations.

The Departed

WR Lance Ray

LB Austin Moss

OL Cam Feldt

K Eduardo Camara

OL Seth Oxner

OL Anthony Oden

TE Ryan Calender

OL Colby Berna * medical hardship

Another Preseason Watch List for Knile Davis

Knile Davis has been listed on the Doak Walker Award list and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watch list. The Doak Walker Award is given to the top running back in Division-1 football and the Walter Camp Award is given to the top college football player regardless of position.

Davis is coming off a 2010 season when he rushed for 1,322 yards, 204 rushing attempts with a 6.5 yards per carry average and 13 touchdowns. 

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