The hiring of Bobby Petrino as the Arkansas Razorbacks ’ head coach was well-received Tuesday by Arkansas’ football commitments, who endured two weeks of uncertainty after Houston Nutt’s resignation on Nov. 26.

But nobody sounded happier about the news of Petrino’s hiring than Pulaski Academy wide receiver Cruz Williams.

“Oh my god, when I first heard Petrino was going to be the Razorbacks’ coach, I freaked out,” Williams said. “I was eating and I just threw my stuff out of the way and I started saying, ‘Are you serious ?’ I just started jumping up and down. I was very excited.

“ He was at Louisville and they ran the Spread offense and they were known for throwing the ball. He can bring some of that Louisville and the NFL and the Atlanta Falcon experience to the Razorbacks. I’m ready to play for him.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Fort Smith Northside lineman Austin Eoff said he was pleased that Arkansas went out and got a big-name coach.

“I think that’s what they wanted to do from the beginning,” Eoff said. “I’m definitely excited.”

Eoff said the uncertainty after Nutt’s resignation had left him a little gun-shy.

“It’s been crazy,” said Eoff, who orally committed to Arkansas in June. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride definitely, with [Wake Forest Coach ] Jim Grobe withdrawing and the coaching search and everything. It’s been tough, and I’m happy, and hopefully it’s all over with.

“ I was talking with one of my uncles and he said, ‘So, are you excited ?’ and I said I’m not going to be excited until he signs.”

Central Arkansas Christian wide receiver / running back / cornerback Joe Adams, who committed to Southern Cal in August, said Petrino’s offense is enticing and that he wants to take an official visit to Arkansas.

“I think it’s real good that they got him,” Adams said. “It helps me out more because I know who Arkansas is bringing in as coach now. At Louisville he ran an offense similar to what we ran at CAC, so I guess it helps me out more with my decision.

“ Arkansas is looking good. I want to take an official visit to Arkansas.”

Safety Khiry Battle of Dacula, Ga., said he respects what Petrino did at Louisville.

“He’s a great coach,” said Battle, who committed to the Razorbacks during the summer. “Obviously he had a rough time in the NFL this year, but I have confidence in him at the college level.”

Battle said he felt a need to reopen his recruitment after Nutt’s departure. Central Florida, Boston College, Northwestern, Florida State and North Carolina State have made contact with him.

“Right now, I’m still committed to Arkansas,” Battle said. “But of course the past few weeks with the coaching staff gone, it makes common sense to open my options back up. Other coaches have started talking to me again.”

Camden Fairview quarterback Jim Youngblood learned of Petrino’s hiring from his dad while lifting weights Tuesday. Petrino’s offense and a chance to play in it were a big hit with Youngblood.

“I’m fired up,” said Youngblood, who committed to Arkansas in February. “I think he’s a great hire. I love the offense he runs, the way he coaches and the style of play his teams have. I’m thrilled to have a proven head coach like that.”

Cornerback Junior Okpara of Sugar Land, Texas, liked the news as well.

“I think it will be a great advantage and a great addition to the Arkansas football team,” Okpara said. “My brother called me and told me about that. I think it’s great.

“ One of my main goals is to make it to college on a scholarship and have a good career and hopefully get to the NFL. Even though that’s not a guarantee, it’s always good to have a coach that can come in and coach the team and also knows how it goes in the NFL and have NFL ties. That definitely improves Arkansas ’ chances a lot.”

Okpara visited Arkansas’ campus during the summer and orally committed shortly afterward. He reopened his recruitment after Nutt resigned and has narrowed his list to three schools.

“I visited Boston College this past weekend, and I plan on going to Missouri this weekend,” Okpara said. “That’s my last official visit and on the 16 th or 17 th [of January ] I plan on making my decision on one of those two days. My parents are leaving the country the 18 th, and I want to make the decision before they leave.”