By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
This is the fifth in a nine-part, position-by-position series previewing the 2010 Razorbacks. Up next: Running backs
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas wide receivers coach Kris Cinkovich thought he had been duped.
Everything he heard about Maudrecus Humphrey during the summer made him certain the freshman could help Arkansas immediately. Good hands. Great speed.
But then came Humphrey’s performance in the team’s first practice on Aug. 5. What did Cinkovich think?
“It was just terrible,” Cinkovich said.
The good news for Humphrey: It was one practice.
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said in the preseason the Razorbacks are counting on newcomers to help the veteran wideouts and Humphrey appears to be leading the pack. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Alabama native has made an impression on the staff since the first day debacle and appears to have worked his way into the mix for playing time as a true freshman.
Make no mistake: The bulk of quarterback Ryan Mallett’s passes will largely be intended for, in no particular order, Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and Cobi Hamilton. But Humphrey believes he can help the Hogs, too, after surviving one of the toughest days of his career.
“I don’t know what happened,” Humphrey said. “I had a really, really bad day. I threw up and all that. I just pushed myself a little too hard in the beginning so I was about dead in the end. …
“My body, I’ve never been through anything like that. So that was just something new for me.”
Since, Humphrey has caught nine passes for 161 yards with two touchdowns in Arkansas’ two scrimmages. He grabbed six passes for 75 yards and a score in the first scrimmage of the preseason, then followed it up with three catches for 86 yards and a touchdown last Thursday facing the first-team defense.
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee wasn’t ready to commit to playing any one of the three freshmen when asked Tuesday night. But he did mention Humphrey.
“I think all three of them have an opportunity. This is going to be an important week for all of them because the decision will obviously be made at the end of this week,” McGee said. “But I like Maudrecus Humphrey. He made plays in each scrimmage.”
Speed is the trait mentioned most by coaches and teammates when asked about Humphrey. He has sprinter’s speed, which is likely a result of his time spent on the track at Hoover (Ala.) High.
Cinkovich said Humphrey looked real fast in a practice inside the Walker Pavilion last week. He also complemented Humphrey’s endurance.
Of course, there are plenty of areas to improve. Humphrey pointed out one peculiar item in particular.
“I’m working on trying to make the big play,” Humphrey said. “I’m having kind of a mental block sometimes about making the big play. … Just catch and score is the first thing on my mind.”
Humphrey said it before hauling in a 39-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Tyler Wilson on the final play of last Thursday’s scrimmage.
It was a good moment for Humphrey, who is the son of former Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey. And it was certainly something he told his father about after the scrimmage. He said they talk every day.
“Most people don’t have that advantage,” Humphrey said. “I can call my dad and ask him anything about football and he’s already been through all of it.
“He told me this was going to be hard for me and I kind of took it for granted an was like, no, I’ll be OK. Sure enough, first day, completely shocked.”
But Humphrey has obviously recovered.
“He’s coming along,” Cinkovich said. “He has made a nice camp for himself after a tough start.”
A Closer Look At … WIDE RECEIVERS
Best of the Bunch: Greg Childs — It’s hard to go wrong with any of the big four, but Childs’ size sets him apart from his teammates. The strong receiver is a big-play threat who is a tough matchup for any cornerback in the league.
Watch Out For: De’Anthony Curtis — Curtis has made the transition to receiver after spending the early part of his career at running back. The Hogs are hoping he can be a matchup problem in the slot, finding ways to use his skills in the open field.
Biggest Strength: The big three (plus Cobi Hamilton) is an impressive group that gives Ryan Mallett no shortage of options to throw to. In fact, it isn’t far-fetched to say it might just be the best foursome of receivers in the nation.
Biggest Question: Who will help them? Arkansas does need some help from the reserves, whether it’s Curtis, Lance Ray or Maudrecus Humphrey. Remember, this group still needed veterans like London Crawford, Lucas Miller and Reggie Fish last year.
Projected Starter: Greg Childs, Jr., (48 catches, 894 yards, 7 touchdowns); Joe Adams, Jr., (29 catches, 568 yards, 7 touchdowns), Jarius Wright, Jr., (41 catches, 681 yards, 5 touchdowns)
Other Contributors: Cobi Hamilton, So.; De’Anthony Curtis, Jr.; Lance Ray, Fr.; Maudrecus Humphrey, Fr.; Julian Horton, Fr.
That Figures: 894 — Childs’ receiving yardage total in 2009, which ranked seventh on the school’s single-season chart. Only one Arkansas receiver (Anthony Lucas in 1998) has topped 1,000 yards.
Quotable: “After having coach Paul (Petrino), you couldn’t really bring much more energy. But he tries to motivate us and he tries to bring energy to us. He doesn’t yell at us as much. He figures we’re old receivers so we should have it under control. It’s just real good to have him.” — Wright on new receivers coach Kris Cinkovich
