Petrino expects a lot from young Razorbacks

Petrino expects a lot from young Razorbacks

By JEREMY PEPPAS
For The Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas enters this season with some question marks, most notably on offense.
New coach Bobby Petrino has to replace star running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones and receiver Marcus Monk, all of whom moved on to the NFL. The solution might come from the freshmen class.
"I think we'll need to get a lot (from them), I really do," Petrino said. "I'm excited about our running backs, there's going to be some young speed."
Though Arkansas has not released a depth chart for this season, Petrino singled out four freshmen at the team's recent media day — Joe Adams of Little Rock, De'Anthony Curtis of Camden, Dennis Johnson of Texarkana and Jarius Wright of Warren.
"Curtis and Dennis Johnson I thought showed their abilities," Petrino said. "When you look at our depth at running back, you know, they will have to jump in there and go. And the great thing is, I think they have the opportunity to be special players."
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino praised the pair as well.
"I think our freshmen are really exciting," he said. "De'Anthony Curtis the first day out there showed a great burst and really made things happen. Same thing with Dennis Johnson, and I think those guys are going to have to carry the load and make things happen."
The biggest adjustment for Johnson has been learning the plays.
"It has been hard picking up the offense," Johnson said. "We got a playbook here a foot thick. In high school, it was Dennis Johnson to the right, Dennis Johnson to the left and Dennis Johnson up the middle."
Last season, the 5-foot-7, 195-pound Johnson rushed for 1,529 yards and 20 touchdowns as Texarkana won its second consecutive state title. In his career Johnson rushed for 4,763 yards and 54 touchdowns for coach Bill Keopple, a former Arkansas assistant coach.
Johnson and Curtis aren't just getting looks at running back either; coaches have also been using them as return men.
"I thought Dennis Johnson with the young guys was real natural," Bobby Petrino said. "De'Anthony Curtis, I mean we've got some talent back there. It's just a matter of continuing to work with them."
"I returned kicks in high school," Curtis said. "Adjusting to the speed here has been the challenge, but it is still just catching the ball and running with it."
Arkansas opens its season Aug. 30 against Western Illinois. Petrino said almost any player could be back to receive the season-opening kick.
"We've been working Jarius Wright back there, Joe Adams, Dennis Johnson," Petrino said, also mentioning freshman Elton Ford. "A lot of freshman names I've been saying and that's a little scary."
It isn't just return men or running back where Petrino is looking for some help.
"At receiver, we've got to get production from some of those freshmen," Petrino said. "Joe Adams and Jarius Wright showed some real good signs, showed some real speed."
Petrino added that Adams "looked like one of the fastest guys on the field." As for Wright, Petrino said, "We were really happy with what he did. He's the speed and size you want at that position."
What excites Petrino the most is what the pair can do after the catch.
"That's one of the strengths that I really think Jarius Wright is going to have and Joe Adams is their ability to make things happen after they catch the ball," he said.
Playing time is what Wright expected when he signed with Arkansas.
"I wanted to come in and play right away," Wright said. "That was the thing. We all wanted to come in and play right away."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.