By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
HOOVER, Ala. — The NCAA continues to look into several Southeastern Conference programs regarding improprieties between football players and agents, but Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said the Razorbacks aren’t expecting a knock on the door.
“We have not had any inquiries or incidents,” Petrino said Thursday. “Knock on wood.”
Four SEC programs — Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina — have players currently being scrutinized for potentially receiving improper benefits from agents. The story has been the dominant topic of conversation during SEC Media Days, which will wrap up this afternoon.
Petrino and Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said the Razorbacks are fortunate to have not been included in the mess and hope it remains that way.
“Certainly we work hard to stay on top of that,” Long said. “But at the same time, it can happen. It can happen at good universities. It can happen where they have strong compliance programs.”
All three Arkansas players in attendance at SEC Media Days — quarterback Ryan Mallett, tight end D.J. Williams and defensive end Jake Bequette — spoke about the issue as well Thursday. In fact, Mallett acknowledged agents have tried to contact him, but he won’t talk to anyone until unless he decides after the season to go to the NFL.
“That’s how I’m doing it because I don’t want to have to deal with any of that stuff that’s going on,” Mallett said.
Williams said others have called his mother, although the conversations haven’t gone far.
“She calls me freaking out. ‘I don’t want to get in trouble with the NCAA,’” Williams said.
All three credited Arkansas for being proactive, helping football players with educational programs.
Arkansas said it has employed Joe Mendes, a former NFL executive and consultant, to counsel players about the agent selection process. Mendes met with Arkansas’ NFL hopeful players twice this summer.
Petrino was asked about Alabama coach Nick Saban’s belief the NFL Players Association should get involved in the agent issue and thought it was “wishful thinking.” He said programs instead should be worried about the things they can control.
“We’ve tried to take the proactive part of it as far as let’s put everything out in the open,” Petrino said. “Let’s try to educate our players. What does an agent actually mean? What does he do for you? How do you go through the selection process? … It’s up to us to help them with it.”
Mallett Insured
Mallett said Thursday has filed paperwork to purchase an insurance policy to protect against career-ending injuries. The junior, who is projected as one of the top picks in the 2011 NFL Draft if he leaves school, didn’t offer many details, though.
“Really the whole process was going to talk to compliance at the university and just filled out some paperwork and sent it to the NCAA and really just went from there,” Mallett said. “I really didn’t have a lot to do with it except signing my name and filling out a bunch of forms.”
Insurance policies are common for high-profile collegiate players. But Williams — who could be a first-round pick as well in 2011 — hasn’t insured himself to this point entering his senior year.
“I don’t even know how that stuff works,” Williams said. “I have really no idea about it.”
Snubbed Receivers
Petrino was asked Thursday if he was surprised none of his wideouts were included on the coaches’ All-SEC team, which was released prior to SEC Media Days. He was, but believes the perceived snub for the group would only serve as motivation.
“When you have that many good players in a conference you don’t know how the voting is going to go,” Petrino said. “I know our receivers will take it personal. They’re motivated. They think they’re a good group. They think they’re good as individuals.
“It will be a great motivating factor for them.”
The Razorbacks return four experienced receivers in Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Cobi Hamilton. It’s a solid group, one ESPN.com’s Chris Low ranks as the best in the league, but Petrino said Arkansas needs to develop reserves this fall.
“We’re going to need some help from incoming freshmen,” Petrino said.
So Long, Nick
Petrino confirmed Thursday that his son, walk-on quarterback Nick Petrino, is no longer playing football. Nick Petrino earned plenty of repetitions at quarterback during spring drills, but decided to concentrate on his coaching career after having what Petrino called a “biceps tendon” problem.
In addition, fullback Mitchell Bailey, running back Jovan Davis and receiver Neal Barlow are no longer with the program.
Petrino also acknowledged the Razorbacks continue to work on the eligibility of some members of the 2010 signing class. Defensive tackle Calvin Barnett will not make it to campus, but Petrino wouldn’t elaborate on the status of any other players.
Decisions, Decisions
Petrino also has not made any decisions on the status of fullback Van Stumon and offensive tackle Anthony Oden for the season opener against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 4. Both players were arrested earlier for alcohol-related offenses earlier this summer.
“I’m still in the process of working through it,” Petrino said.
Say What?
“You know, I’m no angel, that’s for certain. We certainly do try to live by that. But, you know, it’s just a sign of limited vocabulary sometimes. I know ya’ll can’t tell it, but I do have an education.” — Vanderbilt interim coach Robbie Caldwell when asked if he would continue to adhere to former coach Bobby Johnson’s no profanity policy during the Commodores’ practices this season.
Up Next
SEC Media Days will wrap up this morning with Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU. Auburn will bring former Rogers High offensive lineman Lee Ziemba as one of its representatives.
Get frequent updates from Robbie Neiswanger throughout the day at SEC Media Days by following him on Twitter (@NWARobbie)
