Arkansas’ time at Southeastern Conference Media Days ended Wednesday afternoon when the Razorbacks wrapped up a three-hour stay at the Wynfrey Hotel.
It’s a brief stay I documented in stories like this one, and this one, and this one.
There was something else I intended to get to among the first-day madness, but couldn’t quite fit it into the busy schedule of interviewing players and writing stories — the 2011 Arkansas media guide. So let’s take a closer look at some of the things we learned by flipping through 208 pages Wednesday:
Source: Arkansas Media Relations
Everyone graces the cover — OK, not everyone. But the Razorbacks did a 180-degree turn compared to last season when Ryan Mallett graced the cover alone. This year, seven — seven! — Razorbacks are on the cover (running back Knile Davis, receivers Greg Childs, Joe Adams and Jarius Wright, defensive end Jake Bequette, linebacker Jerry Franklin and safety Tramain Thomas). If that’s not enough, seven more are on the back cover (running backs Ronnie Wingo Jr. and Dennis Johnson, defensive end Tenarius Wright, guard Alvin Bailey, center Travis Swanson, linebacker Jerico Nelson and cornerback Isaac Madison). Did Arkansas forget anyone? Yes, actually. Some notable absences: quarterbacks Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell and receiver Cobi Hamilton. But, hey, you can’t fit everyone on the cover, right?
32 “newcomers” listed — The list includes junior college linebacker Robert Atiga, who is reportedly not on campus because he is still finishing up course work. The only two members of the Arkansas signing class who aren’t listed in the media guide are Demetrius Dean and Jashaud Sims. That doesn’t make anything official, but it’s a safe bet those signees won’t be eligible to play for the Razorbacks in 2011.
Arkansas says “welcome” and “thanks” — There’s one interesting addition in the media guide this year. The Razorbacks used pages 200-203 to welcome the 2,632 new members to join the Razorback Foundation in support of the RSVP (Razorback Seat Value Plan) program. The four-page section thanks fans for “making the Razorback Seat Value Plan a huge success” and then proceeds to list the new Razorback Foundation members. I didn’t count each one, so I’ll have to take Arkansas’ word that they’re all there. But I did recognize several names skimming through the pages. Try it. It’s a pretty fun game.
Who will wear No. 15 now? — Quarterback Ryan Mallett made 15 a recognizable number during his record-breaking career. Which newcomer gets it now? Well, it appears that honor will go to receiver Keante Minor, who is listed as No. 15 in the media guide. While we’re on the subject, junior college linebacker Alonzo Highsmith will be wearing No. 45 (which was D.J. Williams). As far as I can tell, the media guide doesn’t clue us into any significant number changes for returning players.
Who else is on the team? Not on the team? — Arkansas confirmed to media outlets defensive lineman Jatashun “Big Tex” Beachum was no longer with the team. And it appears he hasn’t been with the program for a little bit, considering his bio was pulled before the 2011 media guide was printed. Need proof? The more recent departure of tight end Denton Simek and dismissal of offensive lineman Anthony Oden didn’t make the final cut. Both have bios in the media guide, although they are no longer with the team.
There’s a new equipment manager — We knew last spring that long-time equipment manager Tim Cheney was no longer with the program. But who is his replacement? The media guide tells us Chuck Hall stepped into the role last May. Hall spent the previous two seasons at Kansas State and also worked at Louisville for nine years earlier in his career. Four of those years came when Petrino was Louisville’s coach.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
