2012 NFL Draft: Former Razorbacks Prepare for Grueling NFL Combine

Every year around this time 300 plus former college football players eligible for the NFL Draft close in on a six to eight week workout process in preparation for the combine in Indianapolis.

During the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine held from Feb. 22-28, former Arkansas Razorback players Jake Bequette, Joe Adams, Greg Childs, and Jarius Wright will participate before the league’s 32 teams, their coaches, and key personnel in hopes of improving their draft status and in some cases getting drafted period.

An invite to the combine does not assure a player the opportunity of being drafted but the opportunity certainly enhances their chances.

At the 2011 NFL combine, four Razorbacks showcased their talents. Quarterback Ryan Mallett, tight end D.J. Williams, and offensive lineman DeMarcus Love were drafted in the third, fifth, and sixth round respectively.

Offensive lineman Ray Dominguez went undrafted after attending the combine but signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers after the draft.

Each combine invitee can choose to participate in the series of mental and physical tests, physical drills, and in some cases interview with perspective teams.

The interview process allows each team to meet with up to 60 different players for a maximum of 15 minutes. Topics of conversation during the interviews range from football knowledge to character concerns centered on the individual player.

Made even more popular by the Madden NFL video game is the Wonderlic Test. The assessment shines the spotlight on those players that perform well and those that test poorly.

The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test is a 12 minute timed aptitude test with 50 questions. The word test is designed to gain a better idea of an individual’s ability to problem solve and their overall intelligence level.

The common score of most football players is 20 denoting average intelligence. A testing performance of 10 means the person is considered literate.

A score of 24 is the median national average. A high test score of 31 corresponds with chemist and related fields.

According to Paul Zimmerman’s The New Man’s Thinking Guide to Pro Football the average Wonderlic test scores are broken down per positions:

• Offensive tackle- 26
• Center- 25
• Quarterback- 24
• Offensive guard- 23
• Tight end- 22
• Safety- 19
• Linebacker- 19
• Cornerback- 18
• Wide receiver- 17
• Fullback- 17
• Running back- 16

Over the last 10-15 years the medical tests players endure have been a subject of controversy.

Most NFL teams throw up a red flag on players with an injury history. Even if a player has been productive at the collegiate level and scored well on the physical performance tests during the combine, said players tend to slide down team’s draft boards once their doctors are able to perform orthopedic and MRI exams.

In the past medical information was traded freely between college team doctors and NFL teams. Now, due to medical privacy laws college teams can no longer hand over personal medical information on any given person.

What happens on the field during a game can be observed and documented most of the time. What happens on the practice field cannot. For this reason over 600 MRI are performed yearly at the combine. That is an average of 2 MRI per player each year.

The physical and speed drills tend to grab the headline attention at the combine. Fans drool over 40-yard dash times and player bench press reps while teams focus on 10-yard and 20-yard split times, vertical jumps, and three cone drills.

Heading into this week’s combine Joe Adams is listed as the seventh best wide receiver on Draftcountdown.com. Adams stock has risen over the past two months from a thought fifth round draft pick to a possible second rounder.

Adams is listed at 5’11”, 190 pounds with 4.39 40-yard dash speed.

The second fastest wide receiver among the 66 compiled in the 40-yard dash is Jarius Wright. Wright is listed at 5’10”, 180 pounds with a 40-yard dash time of 4.33 just two one hundredths off Connecticut’s Kashif Moore’s 4.31.

Wright is ranked No. 25 out of the 66 receivers attending the combine.

Greg Childs is the bigger receiver of the Razorback bunch and the bigger prospect of the group until he hurt his knee during the 2010 season. After a slow start Childs picked up his pace in the LSU and Kansas State games at the end of Arkansas’ 2011 season.

Childs has a great opportunity to improve his draft stock at the combine. He is ranked No. 35 on the board. His 6’3”, 217 pound frame along with his production early in his Razorback career will attract attention.

If he can improve upon his 4.55 40-yard dash and show explosiveness in his breaks while running routes he could see his name called during the NFL Draft.

Childs will get to answer his fair share of questions about his knee during the scouting combine. Perspective teams will poke, prod, and examine his knee before the week is through to make sure he has fully healed from his injury before risking a draft pick on him.

After Jake Bequette’s first team All-SEC performance in 2011 it is hard to understand why he is not listed higher than the 14th best defensive end in the draft.

Bequette’s hamstring injury aside, he posted 10 sacks during the season tying him for the SEC lead with South Carolina’s defensive end Marvin Ingram. Both players were tied for the ninth best sack total during the 2011 season.

Ingram is ranked as the second best defensive end.

Bequette enters the combine as the fastest defensive end among the 42 invitees having run a reported 4.59 40-yard dash. His 6’5”, 271 pound frame makes him an ideal 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.

When the combine announced their list of invitees for 2012, a couple of Razorbacks were surprisingly missing- linebacker Jerry Franklin and safety Tramain Thomas.

Franklin led the Hogs in tackles in each of the past four seasons compiling 100 or more tackles during his senior and junior years.

Thomas was tied for 13th in Division I with five interceptions during his senior campaign. He also was second on the team and tied for 10th in the SEC with 91 tackles while playing through a shoulder injury much of the season.

Razorback players attending the combine and those that were not invited will have one last opportunity to showcase their abilities before the NFL Draft at Arkansas’ pro day on March 6.

Last year 18 former Razorbacks performed at Arkansas’ pro day including quarterback Ryan Mallett. This year senior offensive linemen Grant Cook and Grant Freeman, linebacker Jerrico Nelson, cornerback Isaac Madison, safety Elton Ford, running back Broderick Green, and defensive lineman Zach Stadther along with others will get their chance to perform combine drills for the NFL scouts on hand.

If the combine tells fans and future NFL hopefuls anything, it’s no matter where you attend college that if one works hard enough and plays well enough the scouts will find you.

One of the more shocking 2012 combine players scheduled to attend is Shawn Loiseau, a former linebacker at Merrimack. Loiseau’s invite is not shocking because of his ability to play but due to the size of Merrimack’s college.  

Better known for their hockey teams, Merrimack is a small school in North Andover, MA with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,064 students. The Warriors compete in the Northeast 10 Conference, a Football Championship Subdivision conference formerly called Division II.

In-state Arkansas football fans will be happy to know that safety Kelcie McCray and linebacker DeMario Davis of Arkansas State are scheduled to attend the combine as well.

McCray is listed as the 14th best safety at the combine while Davis is ranked as the 16th best linebacker.

Arkansas State will hold their pro day on March 27.

The 2012 NFL Draft is April 26-28. 

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Listing the Top 37 SEC Players Eligible for 2012 NFL Draft

During the 2011 NFL Draft 37 players from the SEC heard their name called by NFL teams, 10 in the first round alone. 51 total seniors from SEC schools have been invited to participate in the four different post season all-star games. Underclassmen are already preparing for this year’s NFL Combine by hiring strength and fitness instructors to help them display their athletic abilities.

How many SEC players will hear their names called during the 2012 NFL Draft? 

Here’s a list of the top 37 players that can equal last year’s impressive transition from college football into the NFL.

*Denotes underclassman

Running Backs:

*Trent Richardson, 5’11”, 224 pounds, University of Alabama

Workhorse, power runner, game changer, break away back, the total package… However you want to describe Richardson as a dominate running back take your pick. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The only thing that will keep him off the field as a rookie in the NFL is if he does not show the ability to pick up the blitz on passing downs.

Richardson led the SEC in rushing yards (1,679), rushing attempts (283), and rushing touchdowns (21). He also led the SEC to their sixth straight BCS National Championship.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee

RB Chris Rainey, Florida

FB Broderick Green, Arkansas

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:

*Alshon Jeffery, 6’4”, 229 pounds, University of South Carolina

Jeffery is a big target which NFL scouts like and he’s great at jumping over defenders, especially in the red zone. Jeffery lacks the blazing speed coveted by NFL teams and his route running is not crisp.

Even with the instability at quarterback for the Gamecocks, Jeffery was able to finish the season ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total receiving yards. His eight touchdown receptions were tied for third best in the SEC.

*Orson Charles, 6’3”, 242 pounds, University of Georgia

Charles may be the best tight end available in the NFL Draft much less the best tight end in the SEC. He has the speed, height, and athletic ability for the next level. His ability to stretch the field and pump against linebackers will help his draft status.

Charles was No. 12 in the SEC in total receiving yards with 574 while hauling in 45 passes and five receiving touchdowns.

Jarius Wright, 5’10”, 180 pounds, University of Arkansas

Wright is smaller wide receiver than what most scouts want in a No. 1 receiver. In Arkansas’ offense he was accustomed to running routes across the middle of the field which is something he will have to do on the next level as a No. 2 option or as a slot receiver.

Wright finished the 2011 season leading the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and receiving touchdowns (12). He was one catch shy of tying Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for most receptions- Rogers 67, Wright 66.

Joe Adams, 5’11”, 190 pounds, University of Arkansas

Adams was a consensus All-American as a punter returner in 2011. He led all players with four kickoff returns for touchdowns and his yardage per punt return average of 16.89 was second in college football. Some team will take a chance on Adams for his return ability alone. His 4.3 40-yard dash helps too.

Do not overlook Adams’ ability as a receiver. He was No. 4 in the SEC in total receptions (54) and No. 8 in total receiving yards (652).

Draft Worthy Mentions:

Greg Childs, Arkansas

*Reuben Randle, LSU

Offensive Linemen:

Cordy Glenn, 6’5”, 348 pounds, University of Georgia

Glenn has the size of a NFL tackle but played guard for the Bulldogs since his sophomore year. Either way he’s a beast to contend with especially on running plays.

He has started since his freshman season and has played against top quality defensive linemen throughout his college career. Glenn should be a late first round draft pick.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

C Ben Jones, Georgia

OG Will Blackwell, LSU

C William Vlachos, Alabama

OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss

Linebackers:

*Dont’a Hightower, 6’4”, 260 pounds, Alabama

Hightower is a hard nosed tackler with size and good speed. If he did not have a history of being injured (tore ACL in left knee in 2009) Hightower might be considered the top outside linebacker in the NFL Draft. As it is he still will go somewhere in the first round.

Courtney Upshaw, 6’2”, 265 pounds, Alabama

Upshaw is another Alabama product that projects high in the NFL Draft. Upshaw is an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 NFL defensive scheme. He led Bama with 9.5 sacks this season and seven in 2010.

Upshaw was a four year player for the Tide. He has 4.6 speed to go with his massive frame.

Chris Marve, 6’0”, 242 pounds, University of Vanderbilt

Marve is a typical SEC middle linebacker, always in on a play and a sound tackler. He had an off senior year due to injuries. Still he finished with 91 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Unless Marve shows tremendous speed at the combine he is likely going to drop into the third round.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

Danny Trevathan, Kentucky

Defensive Linemen:

Melvin Ingram, 6’2”, 276 pounds, University of South Carolina

Ingram was the senior leader of a three-headed defensive end rotation that terrorized the SEC- Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. Ingram had nine sacks as a junior and 10 sacks as a senior.

He has a knack for making big plays. His speed is average for a defensive end his size (4.6 40-yard dash). If he can show off some superior atheism at the combine he could work his way into a solid second round pick. 

*Michael Brockers, 6’6”, 306 pounds, LSU

A disruptive force for offensive lines to deal with, Brockers easily dominates most blockers in one-on-one situations. He gets up field in a hurry and commands double teams.

He converted from defensive end to defensive tackle while in Baton Rouge. He is short on overall experience but has a ton of upside. If he does well at the combine he should hear his name called in the first round.

Josh Chapman, 6’1”, 310 pounds, Alabama

Chapman anchored the line for a great Alabama defense throughout his colligate career. His size is a little undersized for a nose tackle. His real weapon in the trenches is his speed. He clocked a 4.92 40-yard dash.

Chapman should go before the second round his over. Early third round if he has a bad NFL Combine or pro day.

*Fletcher Cox, 6’4”, 295 pounds, Mississippi State

There is nothing bad to say about the abilities of Fletcher Cox. He has a motor that does not stop, he is quick off the ball, and played through double-teams throughout his college career. He posted 5 sacks in 2011 and 2.5 in 2010.

NFL teams will want to beef Cox up once he is drafted. Look for Cox to go somewhere in the second to third round.

Jake Bequette, 6’5”, 271 pounds, University of Arkansas

Bequette is an experienced college player having redshirted before becoming a four-year starter for the Hogs. He finished the 2011 season with 10 sacks in 10 games as a hamstring injury forced him to miss three games during the early part of the season.

Bequette is fast but not necessarily strong for a defensive end. He has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He might end up being a weak side defensive end in the NFL.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee

DE Tim Fugger, Vanderbilt

Defensive Backs:

*Dre Kirkpatrick, 6’3”, 192 pounds, University of Alabama

Kirkpatrick has the size and speed NFL scouts drool over for cornerbacks. His background at Alabama will help him play man defense and zone defense at the next level.

Kirkpatrick had zero interceptions in 2011 but had three in 2010.

His ability on the field makes him a first round draft pick. Getting busted for marijuana in Bradenton, Florida may drop his draft status.

*Morris Claiborne, 6’0”, 185 pounds, LSU

Claiborne is considered the best corner in college football with the ability to be a shut-down corner on the next level. His speed, toughness, and athletic ability will make him a first-round pick for some lucky NFL team.

Claiborne had six interceptions during his junior campaign with one returned for a touchdown. He had five interceptions in 2010.

*Jonathan Banks, 6’1”, 185 pounds, Mississippi State

Banks is a legitimate cover corner ready for the next level. He had three picks in 2010 and five in 2011 with one returned for a touchdown. He also registered three sacks this season.

His ability to move up in draft status will depend on how well he competes at the NFL Draft Combine.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

*CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

CB Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt

SS Mark Barron, Alabama

FS Tramain Thomas, Arkansas

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SEC Football: Arkansas Places Six Seniors in Post-Season All-Star Games

The Arkansas Razorbacks has six seniors out of a total of 51 former SEC players that will participate in three of four different post-season all-star games.

Running back Broderick Green (Little Rock, Arkansas) will be the first former Hog to appear in a game when he suits up for the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game January 16.

Green, a punishing runner listed at 6’2”, 244 pounds, finished the 2011 college football season with 260 rushing yards on 68 carries. He led the Razorbacks with five rushing touchdowns this year.

For his career at Arkansas he complied 1,235 rushing yards on 308 attempts for 22 touchdowns.

Five other former SEC players will be appearing in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game: OT Chandler Burden from Kentucky, DE Wayne Dorsey from Ole Miss, QB Jarrett Lee from LSU, CB Anthony Mosley from Kentucky, and LB Austin Johnson from Tennessee.

The Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game takes place in Phoenix, Arizona at the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium and airs on FOX Sports Net at 8 p.m. EST January 16.

In the East-West Shrine Game the NFL Network will showcase the talents of wide receivers Greg Childs and Jarius Wright along with linebacker Jerry Franklin.

Franklin was a four year starter for the Hogs. He led Arkansas in tackles in each of the past four years finishing with 100 or more tackles in his junior and senior seasons- 101 in 2011 and 100 in 2010.  

Franklin was one of eight total Razorbacks voted All-SEC in 2011. He was second team defense as picked by SEC Coaches.

Jarius Wright led the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and touchdown receptions (12) during his senior season. Wright was one catch shy of tying Tennessee’s Da’Rick Rogers conference leading total of 67.

Greg Childs played much of the 2011 season still recovering from a patellar tendon injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of a 2010 game against Vanderbilt. He had his best game of the season in the Cotton Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats finishing with five catches for 48 yards.

Childs ended his college football career with 2,069 total receiving yards, 133 receptions, and 15 total touchdowns.

Nine other SEC players will appear in the East-West Shrine Game including: QB John Brantley from Florida, Tauren Poole from Tennessee, DT DeAngelo Tyson, PK Blair Walsh, FB Bruce Figgins from Georgia, DE Kentrell Lockett and OT Bradley Sowell from Ole Miss, C Quentin Saulsberry from Mississippi State, and DT Travian Robertson from South Carolina.

The East-West Shrine Game starts at 4 p.m. EST and will be shown on the NFL Network January 21. The game will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Senior Bowl has the largest collection of former SEC players among the post-season all-star games with 23 total players appearing including two Razorbacks- WR Joe Adams and DE Jake Bequette.

Jake Bequette was first team All-SEC in 2011 after totaling 10 sacks, five quarterback hurries, and 10.5 tackles for a loss while appearing in 10 games. He had multiple sack games against South Carolina (3), Mississippi State (2), and Kansas State (2).

Joe Adams was a consensus All-American as a punt returner for Arkansas. He ranked No. 2 in Division 1-A in total punt return yards (321), average return yards per punt (16.89), but led all players in returns for a touchdown (4).

Adams was a primary threat in the SEC one of the Razorbacks top wide receivers. He ranked No. 8 in the SEC with 652 total receiving yards and No. 4 in total receptions with 54 while catching three touchdown passes.

As a threat out of the backfield, Adams had 10 rushing attempts for 139 yards with one touchdown.

The 21 other former SEC players scheduled to play in the Senior Bowl include: RB Vick Ballard from MSU, DT Josh Chapman, Safety Mark Barron, WR Marquis Maze, CB DeQuan Menzie, LB Courtney Upshaw, and C William Vlachos from Alabama, Punter Drew Butler, CB Brandon Boykin, OT Cordy Glenn, and C Ben Jones from Georgia, DT Jaye Howard and RB Chris Rainey from Florida, RT Brandon Mosley and LS Josh Harris from Auburn, CB Casey Hayward from Vanderbilt, DE Melvin Ingram and S/LB Antonio Allen from South Carolina, and OG Will Blackwell, TE Deangelo Peterson, and Safety Brandon Taylor from LSU.

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama will air on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. EST January 28.

No former Razorback players will appear in the Battle for Florida played on January 21 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX College Sports in Boca Raton, Florida. 

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Arkansas Razorback Records on the Line versus Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl

 

Since the arrival of Bobby Petrino as Arkansas’ head coach in 2008 the Razorback offense has taken off to new heights, especially in the passing game. It comes as no surprise that the 2011 Razorback college football team could see several offensive records broken by season’s end. 

Here are a few team and individual single season and career records that could be lost or achieved for the Hogs in the 2012 Cotton Bowl against Kansas State.

Points per Game:

Arkansas currently averages 37.42 points per game ranking No. 14 in college football for the season. The previous single season record for the Razorbacks was in 2007 when the Hogs averaged 37.3 points per game. 

If the Hogs pull up short of their season’s scoring average against the Wildcats they will fall behind the 2007 team.

Kansas State allows 27.83 points per game ranking No. 70 in college football.

Pass Completions for the Season:

In 2010 Arkansas completed 301 passes. Led by Ryan Mallett’s 266 pass completions with the help of Tyler Wilson’s 34. 

This season Tyler Wilson has the Hogs on the cusp of breaking a record he helped set.

The Hogs have completed 279 passes entering the Cotton Bowl, 257 by Wilson. 22 more completions will tie the single season mark. 

The Wildcat pass defense is ranked No. 104 in CFB allowing an average of 267.33 yards per game.

KSU allows an opponent completion rate of 63 percent.

Total Team Points Scored in a Season:

The 2007 Razorback team was the most prolific scoring team in school history compiling 485 points behind the play of Doak Walker Award winner Darren McFadden and his backfield teammates Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis. 

The Hogs almost eclipsed the 2007 scoring record last season when they posted 474 points, the second highest total in school history. 

If Arkansas hits their 2011 points per game average (37.4) against the Wildcats they will pass the 36 total points needed to tie the 2007 mark and set the single season scoring record.

Total Individual Points Scored in a Season:

Sophomore kicker Zach Hocker is 13 points behind Bill Burnett’s 1969 record of 120 points scored in a season and 2 points behind Alex Tejada’s second place mark of 109 points set in 2007.

Hocker has kicked 53 PATs and 18 field goals in 2011 to reach the third highest total in a season – 107.  

Total Touchdowns in a Season:

The 2007 Razorback team scored 62 total touchdowns to set the school record. The past two seasons Bobby Petrino’s offense has scored 60 touchdowns each year to set the mark for second most touchdowns scored passing the 2003 mark of 56.

If Petrino’s offense can score six more touchdowns against Kansas State they will tie the single season record of 62.

Kansas State’s total defense is ranked No. 73 in college football giving up 398.75 yards per game.

Single Season Receiving Touchdowns:

Senior wide receiver Jarius Wright is tied with former Razorback receiver Markus Monk for the most touchdown receptions in a season with 11. One more receiving touchdown places Wright as the single season record setter.

Career Receiving Yards:

Jarius Wright set the single season receiving yardage total at Arkansas in 2011 – 1,029.

Anthony Lucas set the career receiving yard mark for the Razorbacks between 1995-1999 piling up 2,879 total yards. 

Wright has 2,846 total career receiving yards entering the Cotton Bowl putting him 33 yards away from tying Lucas’ career total.

Career Receiving Touchdowns:

Wright is also within reach of tying Markus Monks’ career receiving touchdown total of 27 for the Razorbacks. Monk set the record during the 2004-2007 seasons.

Wright has 23 career touchdowns.

2011 SEC Receiving Totals:

Wright needs 11 more receiving yards to overtake Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for the SEC lead in receiving yards. Rogers has 1,040 total yards.

Wright is also five receptions (63) shy of passing Rogers for the SEC lead in total catches. Rogers has 67 total receptions.

Wright is the league leader in total receiving touchdowns with 11.

The 2012 Cotton Bowl will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas January 6, at 7:00 p.m. CST on FOX.

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Arkansas Razorbacks: Tyler Wilson Named First Team All-SEC

Tyler Wilson has done something no other Arkansas Razorback has ever accomplished he’s been named first team All-SEC at the quarterback position.

Wilson along with six other Razorback players was named to All-SEC teams Monday. Wide receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams were selected first team All-SEC as well. Adams selection was as an all-purpose player for his contributions as a punt returner and wide receiver.

Arkansas second team picks included linebacker Jerry Franklin, punter Dylan Breeding, guard Alvin Bailey, and running back Dennis Johnson; Johnson was an all-purpose selection for his kickoff return abilities and play at running back.

Senior safety Tramain Thomas received an honorable mention. Thomas had five interceptions during the 2011 season tying him for No. 10 in FBS and No. 4 in the SEC.

Missing from the All-SEC lists is senior defensive end Jake Bequette. Bequette missed significant game time and three total games with an early season hamstring injury but still managed to finish the season with eight sacks. Bequette’s eight sacks ranked No. 8 in the SEC.

Jarvis Jones led the SEC in sacks with 13.5, finishing second in college football during the regular season to Whitney Mercilus a defensive end for Illinois.

The following is a list of the All-SEC honorees, their position, their school, and their class:

First Team Offense

QB – Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, Jr.

RB – Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.

RB – Michael Dyer, Auburn, So.

WR – Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Sr.

WR – Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee, So.

OL – Barret Jones, Alabama, Jr.

OL – Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina, Sr.

OL – Cordy Glenn, Georgia, Sr.

OL – Will Balckwell, LSU, Sr.

C  - William Vlachos, Alabama, Sr.

TE – Orson Charles, Georgia, Jr.

Special Teams

K – Caleb Sturgis, Florida, Jr.

AP – Joe Adams, Arkansas, Sr.

First Team Defense

DT – Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, Jr.

DT – Malik Jackson, Tennessee, Sr.

DE – Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, Sr.

DE – Sam Montgomery, LSU, So.

LB – Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, Sr.

LB – Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, Sr.

LB – Jarvis Jones, Georgia, So.

CB – Morris Claiborne, LSU, Jr.

CB – Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, So.

S – Mark Barron, Alabama, Sr.

S – Bacarri Rambo, Georgia, Jr.

Special Teams

P - Brad Wing, LSU, Fr.

Second Team Offense

QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia, So.

RB – Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt, Jr.

RB – Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, Sr.

WR – Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, Jr.

WR – Rueben Randle, LSU, Jr.

OL – Alvin Bailey, Arkansas, So.

OL – Chris Faulk, LSU, So.

OL – Larry Warford, Kentucky, Jr.

OL – Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, So.

C – Ben Jones, Georgia, Sr.

TE – Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn, Jr.

Special Teams

K- Drew Alleman, LSU, Jr.

AP – Dennis Johnson, Arkansas, Jr.

Second Team Defense

DT – Michael Brockers, LSU, So.

DT – Josh Chapman, Alabama, Sr.

DE – Cory Lemonier, Auburn, So.

DE – Barkevious Mingo, LSU, So.

LB – Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, Sr.

LB – Jerry Franklin, Arkansas, Sr.

LB – Don’t’A Hightower, Alabama, Jr.

CB – Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, Jr.

CB – Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, Sr.

S – Antonio Allen, South Carolina, Sr.

S – Eric Reid, LSU, So.

Special Teams

P – Dylan Breeding, Arkansas, Jr.

Offensive Player of the Year

Trent Richardson, Alabama

Defensive Player of the Year

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

Coach of the Year

Les Miles, LSU

Freshman of the Year

Isaiah Crowell, Georgia

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College Football: Mississippi State Trying to Catch No. 6 Arkansas Looking Ahead

The tale of two teams thought to be on a similar rise in the SEC West just a season ago could not be any more different as the Mississippi State Bulldogs travel to Little Rock, Arkansas this weekend in an attempt to knock off No. 6 Arkansas.

Last season Mississippi State, 9-4, appeared to be on the brink of taking a major step towards contending with the SEC West elite teams. The Bulldogs had wins over SEC powerhouses Georgia, Florida, and crushed their in-state rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. MSU finished the season with a 52-14 win over University of Michigan in the Gator Bowl.

The return of 15 starters and a preseason ranking of No. 20 brought high expectations for Mississippi State’s head coach Dan Mullen. High hopes have turned to a disappointing season for the 5-5 Bulldogs. Instead of challenging the SEC upper crust teams, Mullen has two games left to become bowl eligible.

The Razorbacks finished 2010 with their first appearance in a BCS Bowl when they accepted a bid to play Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Even with the departure of quarterback Ryan Mallett and Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams to the NFL along with only returning 11 starters, the Hogs have surpassed their preseason No. 15 ranking.

The 9-1 Arkansas Razorbacks have been focused and sharp entering the stretch run of their season after two lackluster road performances against lower tiered SEC teams Vanderbilt and Ole Miss. Arkansas easily defeated then No. 10 South Carolina 44-28 and University of Tennessee 49-7 in back-to-back home games as they narrow in on the biggest game of their season against No. 1 LSU.

The Bulldogs have struggled off and on all season as indicated by their 5-5 record. There has been inconsistent quarterback play between the shuffling in and out of senior Chris Relf, sophomore Tyler Russell, and freshman Dylan Farve. Combined the quarterbacks are averaging 204 passing yards per game with 10 total interceptions thrown on the season.

MSU senior running back Vick Ballard has suffered through poor offensive line play and a lack of a passing attack to put up solid numbers on the season. Ballard is ranked 6th in the SEC with 811 total rushing yards, though the majority of his rushing yards have come in non-conference games – 437 yards.

MSU’s defense has played well without the support of the offense. The Bulldog defense is ranked 40th in the nation in total defense holding teams to 353 yards per game.

The Razorbacks underperformed on defense in tough games on the road early in the season but have made significant strides over the past four contests. The addition of injured players Tank Wright, Isaac Madison, Darius Winston, and Jake Bequette back into the defensive rotation has allowed defensive coordinator Willy Robinson more flexibility in calling stunts and blitzes.

Throughout the season Arkansas has relied on the arm of quarterback Tyler Wilson. Wilson’s 2,850 total passing yards leads the SEC and he is second in touchdown passes thrown with 18. His favorite target, Jarius Wright, leads the SEC in total receiving yards with 906 and 11 receiving touchdowns even though he has missed one game this season - Troy.

Razorback fans are fearful that the Hogs will get caught looking ahead to LSU by a hungry Bulldog team. Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino is well aware of the talent Mississippi State has despite their 5-5 record. In 2010 MSU took Arkansas into double overtime before the Hogs pulled out a 38-31 victory on a seven yard touchdown pass by Ryan Mallett to Knile Davis.

What’s at Stake for Both Teams?

An upset victory over Arkansas would knock the Hogs out of contention for a possible shared SEC West Division Title and take away a potential BCS Bowl berth. The Razorbacks are well aware of what is riding on the line against MSU.

A Bulldogs win would mean they are bowl eligible for a second year in a row, something the Bulldogs have only done two other times in school history, 1980-81 and 1999-2000.

Inside the Mississippi State versus Arkansas Game

Vick Ballard and Chris Relf both rushed for over 100-yards with four combined touchdowns against the Razorbacks last year.

Jarius Wright had 2 catches for 105 yards and 1 touchdown last year against MSU.

Arkansas averages 455 yards of total offense per game ranking 26th in FBS.

Arkansas’ defense allows an average of 375 yards per game, 56th in FBS.

Mississippi State gains an average of 373 total yards of offense per game.

Arkansas averages 38.80 points per game.

Mississippi State averages 25.80 points per game.

Mississippi State holds teams to 19.20 points per game.

Arkansas holds teams to 21.50 points per game.

Arkansas averages 311 passing yards per game.

Mississippi State averages 203.80 passing yards per game.

Mississippi State’s pass defense is limiting teams to 186 yards per game.

MSU’s lone conference win came against 4-6 Kentucky.

Arkansas has won nine straight games in Little Rock.

The Razorbacks have won 11 of the last 12 games versus Mississippi State.

Prediction

Mississippi State could salvage their season by beating the Hogs in Little Rock. Arkansas could throw away a possible shared SEC West Divisional Conference Title, a potential SEC Championship Game berth, and a possible BCS Bowl bid by losing to the Bulldogs. Both teams have a lot to play for only Arkansas has a lot to lose.

Playing at home, Arkansas has more talent, one of the best passing attacks in college football, and more riding on the line.

Petrino delivers Arkansas’ first undefeated season at home since 1999.

Final Score

Arkansas 28, Mississippi State 13

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SEC College Football Preview: No. 10 South Carolina versus No. 8 Arkansas

This may not be the college football game of the weekend or the best game the SEC has to offer this week but the eighth ranked Arkansas Razorbacks versus the tenth ranked South Carolina Gamecocks should prove to be an exciting game between two very similar teams.

The Razorbacks take on their fourth ranked team in the past six games and second top-10 team of the season when the Gamecocks visit Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday. Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino hopes playing at home will spark his talented team into playing a complete game against a revenge minded team.

In 2010 Arkansas jumped out to an early 24-10 lead and cruised to a 41-20 win at Williams-Brice Stadium. Absent from last year’s winning team are Ryan Mallett’s 303-yards passing with one score to the NFL and Knile Davis’110-rushing yards and three touchdowns, out with an ankle injury.

The Gamecocks will also be without last year’s starting quarterback Stephen Garcia, dismissed from the team in week seven for violating team rules, and running back Marcus Lattimore, injured ACL.

Garcia threw for 161 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Hogs in 2010. Lattimore was held to 30 rushing yards on 11 attempts before Spurrier took him out of the game in the third quarter.

The 2011 starting quarterbacks for both squads made an appearance in last year’s game. Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson was sacked on his only passing attempt and the Gamecock’s Connor Shaw completed two passes for 20 yards in mop-up duty.

Based off preseason predictions both teams have struggled to meet expectations offensively and defensively this season despite their current rankings.

In four of their past five games the Hogs have overcome double digits deficits before rallying to win. Included in those wins were sub-par performances against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt in their past two games.

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has had to overcome one difficult situation after another this season. Connor Shaw started the season under center for the Gamecocks only to be replaced by troubled senior Stephen Garcia in the second quarter of their first game. Garcia was dismissed from the team in week seven of the season for violation of team rules.

Shaw replaced Garcia as starting quarterback after his dismissal. Shaw was to count on the production of All-SEC running back Marcus Lattimore only to lose him at the end of that same week to an ACL injury suffered against Mississippi State.

Arkansas has not been without injuries as well. Both starting defensive ends and cornerbacks have missed significant game time as has their top wide receiver over the past two years, Greg Childs.

South Carolina had a bye week to prepare true freshman running back Brandon Wilds (Blythewood, South Carolina) for their first game without Lattimore. Wilds responded with 135 yards rushing on 28 attempts in a sluggish win over the Vols. Wilds also caught three passes for 31 yards.

Before his breakout performance against Tennessee, Wilds highest rushing totals had come against Kentucky when he rushed five times for 45 yards.

Connor Shaw has been inconsistent as the Gamecock starting quarterback. He threw for 311 yards against Kentucky but has regressed since then. Against MSU he threw for 155 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. On the road against Tennessee he finished with 87 passing yards on 10 of 18 passing attempts.

The Hogs running game made a brief appearance for two games but took a big step back against the Commodores last week. Dennis Johnson was held to 52 yards rushing on nine attempts and was benched after fumbling the ball for the second straight game. Arkansas finished with 72-net rushing yards after quarterback Tyler Wilson was sacked three times for a loss of 21-yards.

Through shaky offenses, injuries, and poor defensive performances both teams are fighting for an opportunity to remain in contention for a SEC Conference Title Game appearance and a possible BCS bowl berth.

Much like last year both teams enter the game with identical 7-1 records; in 2010 their records were 6-2 at the time of the game. South Carolina leads the SEC East while Arkansas can only hope LSU beats Alabama and they can beat LSU for an outside shot of representing the SEC West in the title game. 

Inside the Game

South Carolina’s defense will get their first true test of the season against the Razorbacks. The Gamecocks defense has the sixth rated total defense in FBS but the Hogs have the ninth best passing attack in the nation.

Weakness on weakness pits Arkansas’ running game and USC’s rush defense. Can the Hogs take advantage? USC is allowing 130.25 rushing yards per game. If the Hogs can hit that total that may be all Tyler Wilson needs to control the game with his arm.

The Razorbacks allowed two inferior opponents, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, to rack up 151 rushing yards and 222 yards respectively. The Hogs have to like that a true freshman, Wilds, is handling the ball for the Gamecocks. They have to hate that Wilds ran for 135 in his first game as a starter against Tennessee. They can hope that the 28 carries he had last week wore him down some.

South Carolina averages 202 rushing yards per game but that was with Marcus Lattimore. Can they keep that pace up?

USC has the third best pass defense in the nation limiting teams to 135.88 passing yards per game. Is this statistic telling of their defense or a product of the offensive systems they have encountered?

Of the eight teams the Gamecocks have played only two of those teams featured throwing quarterbacks; East Carolina’s Dominique Davis and Georgia’s Aaron Murray. Davis threw for 260 yards and 248 for Murray. The telling statistic is both quarterbacks threw for four touchdowns against the Gamecocks.

South Carolina has not played a ranked team at the time of their game this season. Georgia and Auburn are both currently ranked. The Gamecocks strength of schedule is tied for 68th in the nation.

Connor Shaw threw for 87 yards against Tennessee and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was held to three catches for 17 total yards.

Arkansas has made their last two opposing quarterbacks (Randall Mackey, Ole Miss, and Jordan Rodgers) look like world beaters. Shaw showed his ability to run against the Vols gaining 64 yards on 16 attempts, much like what the Razorbacks faced in Vanderbilt’s Jordan Rodgers last week.

Prediction

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino has to be excited that he has made it through the most difficult part of his schedule to return home 7-1 for a three-game home stand.

Spurrier has to hate that his young team is Arkansas’ homecoming game.

The Razorbacks have been uninspired over their past two games but gain a spring in their step being home for a night game.

Final Score

Hogs 28, South Carolina 17

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How Arkansas will beat Alabama

Arkansas and Alabama have two very similar teams in 2011 except one is getting a lot more national attention than the other. Is the early season attention given to Alabama over Arkansas truly deserved?

Both teams are ranked in the AP and Coaches Top 25 going into this week’s game, Arkansas 14th, Alabama 3rd in the AP. Neither team has played a challenging schedule to date. Yes that includes Alabama’s trip to Penn State, a team that finished 2010 7-6. Arkansas received perhaps their toughest offensive test for the entire season against Troy, 8-5 in 2010, and their highly regarded quarterback Corey Robinson; sans a November visit from Marcus Lattimore and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Both teams have lost a great deal of talent off of their 10-win 2010 teams. Alabama has 14 returning starters while Arkansas has 11. Offensively Arkansas and Alabama have had to replace their starting left tackles. Arkansas has had to go a step further and replace two additional offensive linemen.

Arkansas lost Knile Davis to injury during fall practices, a 1,322-yard rusher in 2010, while Alabama had to replace their 2009 Heisman Trophy winning tailback Mark Ingram (875-yards rushing in 2010). Trent Richardson and Ronnie Wingo Jr. saw significant snaps for their respective teams last year. Richardson ended the year with 700-yards rushing on 112 attempts for a 6.2 yard per carry average to Wingo’s 253-yards rushing on 41 attempts also good for a 6.2 yard per carry average. Both backs excel as pass catching options out of the backfield.

Tyler Wilson has stepped in well for departed quarterback Ryan Mallet. Wilson is currently 23rd in the nation in passing yards averaging 274-yards per game in part-time work. AJ McCarron has replaced Greg McElroy at quarterback by posting 193-passing yards per game, ranking him 69th in FBS. McCarron has thrown two touchdown passes to Wilson’s five.

Arkansas entire wide receiving core returns from a passing offense that ranked fourth in the nation. The Tide has to replace first round draft pick Julio Jones and Preston Dial.

Arkansas is the first team ever to have four finalists for the Biletnikoff Award (Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Cobi Hamilton, and Jarius Wright). Alabama has three finalists named to the watch list (Duron Carter, Darius Hanks, and Marquis Maze) even though none of their receivers topped 600-yards receiving last season. Adams had 813, Childs 659, and Wright had 788-yards receiving. Maze had 557-yards.

14 Razorbacks were named to the All-SEC Preseason Teams, the most of any SEC team.

Both teams return seven starters from their highly ranked defense. Bama finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, Arkansas finished 36th.

Alabama currently has the third ranked defense in the nation to Arkansas 35th ranked defense. Between the two teams Arkansas has played a team with a more dynamic offense, Troy, than Alabama has in Kent State, Penn State, or North Texas. Penn State has the 103rd ranked offense in FBS to Troy’s 33rd ranked offense; versus Clemson and Arkansas.

Arkansas has the 11^th ranked offense, Alabama the 21^st.

Arkansas has two punt returns for touchdowns, Alabama zero.

Arkansas has one kickoff return for a touchdown and is ranked third in FBS with 33-yards per kickoff return. Alabama is ranked 33rd averaging 24.6-yards per kickoff return with zero touchdowns.

What’s the main difference between two evenly matched teams? Not much other than Arkansas can put points on the board against any team in the nation. Alabama’s young offense has yet to prove their abilities against a top tier defense.

Bama has a slight advantage playing at home but not enough to cover the current spread out of Las Vegas at 13 points.

Both teams may have played a vanilla offense against lesser opponents thus far and held back their blitz and defensive packages but you can expect Arkansas to run some of their 5-2 defense against Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy. Arkansas defensive coordinator will beg Nick Saban to let AJ McCarron throw the ball to beat the Razorbacks.

Arkansas has a more experienced quarterback that has played well on the road in the state of Alabama. Wilson threw for 332-yards and four touchdowns at Jordan-Hare Stadium in front of 85,000 plus in less than three quarters worth of time. The 100,000 in attendance in Bryant-Denny Stadium will not rattle Tyler Wilson.

Alabama gets a slight edge on the offensive line… but they did give up four sacks against North Texas; three on AJ McCarron and one on Phillip Sims.

Arkansas wins the special teams match-up due to their kickoff and punt returns. Both teams have excellent field goal kickers.

The turnover battle will always factor into any football game. No one can predict what one team will or will not do against the other.

Arkansas will limit the pressure their young offensive line will receive from Alabama’s defense by running five and eight-yard pass routes. When the Tide sit back look for Arkansas to drag Bama’s defenders from one side of the field to the other.

Arkansas will be able to stop Alabama’s big play threats from Eddie Lacy and Trent Richardson. Against North Texas Alabama broke four long runs for touchdowns, 43, 58, 71, and 67-yards. Those four plays account for all of Alabama’s net rushing yards (347) against North Texas.

Arkansas wins this one 28-21. After all Petrino “didn’t come here to paint”. 

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