Razorbacks spring football report

Defense takes hit on Day 1

University of Arkansas receivers Maudrecus Humphrey (left) and Julian Horton run drills during the Razorbacks first spring practice at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas’ already inexperienced line-backing corps was dealt a setback Wednesday as Coach Bobby Petrino announced Alonzo Highsmith would miss the entire spring with a partially torn tendon in his pectoral muscle.

Highsmith, who sustained the injury during bench press testing Tuesday, already has undergone surgery to repair the damage.

“We’re going to miss him,” Petrino said of the Razorbacks’ only returning starter at linebacker. “I was waiting to see him take over that group, be the leader, make all the calls, run it. Now he’s just going to have to make sure that he does it this summer and early in the fall.”

Robert Atiga moved up from the second string to join Braylon Mitchell and Matt Marshall in the starting linebacker spots.

Big plays

The Razorbacks scored touchdowns on back-to-back plays during a team period, one for the offense and one for the defense.

Tyler Wilson hit uncovered tailback Ronnie Wingo on a wheel route for a would-be long score.

On the next snap, Wilsonlooked for Demetrius Dean, who was lined up wide and running a hitch, but cornerback Tevin Mitchel jumped the pass and was headed for the end zone with his interception.

Maudrecus Humphrey had two deep touchdown catches down the right sideline, but he balanced it by having another would-be score plunk off his hands near the goal line.

Safety Alan Turner jumped an out route thrown by Brian Buehner and recorded an interception.

Testing time

Knile Davis ran the team’s best 40-yard dash with a timing of 4.33 seconds on the Hogs’ fast track at Walker Pavilion. Also in the top five: Maudrecus Humphrey (4.34), Marquel Wade (4.35), Darius Winston (4.36) and Cobi Hamilton (4.37).

The top lineman on either side of the ball was defensive end Chris Smith (4.4), who tied backup kicker Cameron Bryan for seventh, behind Ronnie Wingo Jr. (4.38).

Defensive tackle Alfred Davis had the top bench press (460), while fellow tackles Byran Jones and Robert Thomas had the top dead lifts (600).

Tight quarters

Arkansas listed eight tight ends on its pre-spring roster, with Chris Gragg, Austin Tate, Brett Weir, Demetrius Dean and Andrew Peterson heading the list over three walk-ons.

“That’s quite the group,” Bobby Petrino said. “We felt like we were really thin last year.”

The Razorbacks use two tight end sets about as much as anyone in the SEC and like to developmulti-purpose players at that position. Gragg, always a pass-catching threat, has improved his blocking since the departure of D.J.

Williams, while Tate is working on his blocking.

Moving

Brett Weir, the native of Canada who began as a safety last fall, is working as a tight end.

Ryan Farr, the Central Arkansas Christian graduate and Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer who played safety last season, has moved back to the receiving corps for his senior spring.

Farr essentially swapped out with Price Holmes, a junior out of Batesville who went from a receiver to safety for the spring.

Redshirt freshman Kane Whitehurst, who took some snaps as a defensive back in bowl practice, is listed as a third-team wideout, behind Cobi Hamilton and Maudrecus Humphrey.

Worth noting

Add assistant head coach Taver Johnson to the list of Arkansas coaches who have had major knee and leg issues. Johnson was sporting a long compression sleeve on his left leg at practice.

Redshirt freshman defender Darrell Kelly-Thomas was limited, splitting time between some position drills and working the stationary bike.

Keante Minor put in a nice vertical jump and had his arms fully extended to bring in a strong pass from Tyler Wilson during a team period.

Sports, Pages 21 on 03/15/2012