FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas football Coach Bret Bielema went public with the naming of Austin Allen as the team's starting quarterback Thursday.
The announcement, coming about one week before the end of spring practice, was done with a purpose, offensive coordinator Dan Enos said Tuesday.
"We have a lot of quiet guys," Enos said, speaking of the offensive personnel. "Jeremy Sprinkle's very quiet. Frank Ragnow's quiet. Kody Walker's quiet.
"I think coach was feeling like we needed some direction. Coach and I both felt that Austin had taken a step forward and deserved to be named. He had really been leading, not just through the spring, but through last year and all the way up to this point."
Allen has been the presumptive No. 1 quarterback since his brother, departing senior Brandon Allen, played his final game in a Razorbacks uniform, capping an 8-5 season with 45-23 victory over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
A sampling of Arkansas first-team offensive players brought to the interview room Tuesday put their stamp of approval on the move.
"I think it was good, just to get to know who you're going to be blocking for and really start looking to who's going to be leading the offense," senior tackle Dan Skipper said.
"It's pretty good that everybody knows who the starting quarterback is, but he still has to work hard," senior receiver Dominique Reed said.
Junior center Frank Ragnow said the move was logical.
"Austin ... this whole offseason he's kind of taken that step, leading voluntary 7-on-7s and whatnot," Ragnow said. "Austin's taken that step to really separate himself from everybody else. I think the team is really confident in him and excited about him."
Ragnow said Allen's composure has been one of his greatest assets.
"He doesn't get fazed," Ragnow said. "As you know, we've got a lot going on with the offensive line right now. There's been some times he's been pressured a lot, and the kid never gets fazed. He's always the same guy no matter what, kind of like Brandon. It must be in the Allen bloodstream or something."
Allen addressed the media as the No. 1 man for the first time Tuesday.
"I feel like I've been practicing pretty well out there, trying to work on my leadership skills and everything," Allen said. "I guess they made the decision in the coaching staff and whatever they say, you go with it."
Enos said the other quarterbacks -- sophomore Rafe Peavey and freshmen Ty Storey and Ricky Town -- have not backed down since the announcement.
"We've got a lot of guys in there that are pushing and champing at the bit," Enos said. "Austin is certainly very deserving of it, but he's got to come out here and continue to work every day and try to get better.
"He's very capable. But I think there's a lot there left that he can get to. We've got three practices left and a whole fall camp to get ready."
Allen said being the No. 1 man has been something he has worked to achieve.
"It was a great feeling," Allen said. "Kind of one of those things you think about your whole life, and when it finally happened it was pretty awesome to finally hear it.
"I've got to keep practicing well, going out there and trying to lead the team, and really having just the mentality of not making any mistakes out there and really being crisp with the offense. I want to keep the job, so I've got to keep working to try to keep it. That's the only thing I'm trying to do."
Sports on 04/20/2016