By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell held a friendly competition in the weight room Thursday.
The challenge was simple: See how many times each Arkansas quarterback could bench press 225 pounds.
Mitchell said he won. He was proud of it, too. But the redshirt freshman realizes a battle for something bigger than bragging rights could be at stake in the near future, depending on what Ryan Mallett decides.
“Me and (Wilson) are battling to get the starting job after Ryan leaves,” Mitchell said.
Mallett indicated last week he will look into the possibility of entering the 2010 NFL Draft after the Liberty Bowl. The chance of his departure has placed more spotlight on Arkansas’ other quarterbacks, who are using bowl practices to sharpen their skills in case they’re asked to lead the offense next year.
Wilson and Mitchell have earned first-team repetitions in practice this week. In fact, Wilson said he got “most” of the first-team work Friday after getting a good chunk in Thursday’s practice.
Mallett is still expected to start in the Liberty Bowl before announcing his plans. If the sophomore comes back, there’s no question he’ll start.
If he doesn’t, the Hogs must prepare for his replacements.
“I greatly hope to be the starting quarterback here one day,” Wilson said. “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t believe that and have that dream still alive.
“So I’ll be ready to go when my opportunity comes.”
Wilson played in five games as Mallett’s backup, completing 22 of 36 passes for 218 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He combined with Mallett to set a school record for passing yards in a game in the season opener against Missouri State (447), getting his most extensive work in the win.
Wilson’s last appearance came against Eastern Michigan and the redshirt freshman was disappointed by his play. But Wilson said he feels much more confident now, stringing together some beneficial bowl work.
Will he play in the game? Wilson wasn’t sure.
“We’ll see,” Wilson said. “I’m going to prepare like I’m going to play. That’s what you’ve got to do. You can’t be surprised if you are (playing).”
Receiver London Crawford said Wilson has shown growth in his extended repetitions this week. The senior added that he didn’t know which way Mallett was leaning, but believes Arkansas would be in good hands.
“He’s been coming along, practicing hard, going hard, making the right checks,” Crawford said. “Keeping the team fired up, learning the things that Mallett has been doing for a long time. He’s basically feeding off of what Mallett is doing and learning the offense.”
Mitchell, who is redshirting the season, missed out on a few weeks of practice because of hernia surgery.
When he was healthy enough to return to the field, the two-sport athlete joined the basketball team to help coach John Pelphrey’s depleted roster. He played in four games, but quickly decided the hardwood wasn’t for him and moved back to the football field.
“Things weren’t going like I thought it would for basketball,” Mitchell said. “So I just felt like since I was on scholarship for football I would come out here and get ready to learn the offense and get ready to become the starting quarterback.”
Mitchell said he didn’t know which way Mallett was learning, but is confident he’ll make the best choice.
If Mallett does return for his junior year, Mitchell said he’d be behind the quarterback “100 percent.”
So would Wilson, even though it would delay his hope of starting for the Razorbacks for at least one more year. But Wilson was adamant that he will be prepared to step into Arkansas’ starting job whenever it opens.
“I’m going to roll with whatever goes,” Wilson said. “I’m going to play like I’ve always played. When my opportunity comes, I’m going to make the most of it.”
