You may know SEC Media Days as a three-day extravaganza that serves as an unofficial kickoff to football season.

That’s accurate. But there are a few other things I’ll always remember SEC Media Days for as well: Unlimited Dr. Pepper and Golden Flake, a wall of diehard fans packed into the Wynfrey Hotel just hoping to catch a glimpse (or autograph) of their favorite coach or player, and, of course, the big boxes of media guides.

See, each year, SEC teams tend to “unveil” their media guides and it goes like this: Media member enters a room with stacks and stacks of media guides in it, SEC staff members check off name and affiliation, then hand media member a big box loaded with 13 guides. One for each school in the league and the SEC’s guide.

Ryan Mallett is the 2010 Cover Boy

I remember blogging about the things I learned while cruising through Arkansas’ media guide last year and wanted to repeat it once again. But there’s good news this year. I was able to get my hands on a copy of Arkansas’ 2010 media guide before SEC Media Days began. So let’s break it down right now (with a couple pictures):

• It should be no surprise, but Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett graces the cover of the 2010 media guide. All alone. Evidently, it’s one of the things Arkansas wanted to do for Mallett’s return to the program for his junior season. I can’t remember the last time one player has been on the cover of Arkansas’ football media guide all by himself, though. The cover shot is of Mallett wearing his Nike uniform and gripping a football. The field and one side of Razorback Stadium is in the background. And the phrase “Get Ready,” which Mallett used last January when asked if he had a message for Arkansas fans for the 2010 season, is in the left corner of the guide. Those two words are being used as the motto for the season.

• There are a few absences since the end of spring drills, according to the media guide. But none of them were significant players. Fullback Mitchell Bailey, quarterback Nick Petrino and running back Jovan Davis are a trio I noticed were missing. Bailey, who has reportedly transferred, may be the most pressing departure. He was Arkansas’ second-team fullback and will leave the Hogs looking for some depth at the position this preseason.

• Last year we knew one Arkansas true freshman tight end as Colton Nash. But this year, according to the media guide, we’ll know him as Colton Miles-Nash. No word on why Miles-Nash has changed his name as of now, but, remember, he’s changing positions too. Miles-Nash moved back to defensive end after giving Arkansas some depth at tight end last season after Chris Gragg’s ankle injury.

Four More Hogs on Back Cover

• Looking for the post spring depth chart in the 2010 media guide? Well, you’re not going to find one. The Razorbacks didn’t include one in this year’s version after doing so last season and as far back as I’ve been covering this program (which is 2002). I won’t say it’s a glaring omission, though, because often times plenty can change with the depth chart over the long summer and throughout the preseason. Just look at the post spring depth chart in the 2009 media guide. Briton Forester was the punter.

• The Razorbacks have bios for 24 of the 25 players they signed in the 2010 class last February. The only one missing is touted defensive tackle Calvin Barnett, who we learned earlier this summer was having to go to junior college because he wasn’t academically eligible. Barnett, a four-star prospect, was considered a big get for the Razorbacks on signing day. But they will have to wait.

• Remember when Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said last year that Cowboys Stadium should be a “third” home field for the Razorbacks? Well, the Razorbacks are claiming it as such on last two pages of the media guide thanks to their 10-year series with Texas A&M. A spread that says “Home of Arkansas Football” includes photos of Reynolds Razorback Stadium, War Memorial Stadium and Cowboys Stadium. I wonder what the Aggies think about that?

I’m heading out the door now for the long drive to Hoover, Ala. So you won’t hear much from me unless news breaks this afternoon. But I will be writing stories, notes and blogs from the three-day event beginning Wednesday. In addition to that, I’ll also be providing plenty of updates via Twitter (@NWARobbie).