State of the Hogs: Former Arkansas QB likes what he sees from new QB

FAYETTEVILLE — Clint Stoerner backed away from a definitive number of victories for Arkansas this football season. But there was a pretty strong hint at nine.

The former Arkansas quarterback clearly is high on Austin Allen as the quarterback of the future. But he's big on the wide receivers this year, too.

“I don't know the record right now, but if you ask me to give you a number, I'd say nine,” Stoerner said. “I do a flip flop on some games like Texas A&M, Florida and LSU. That can make it seven, eight or nine (wins).”

Stoerner was the guest Wednesday as the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club announced its speaker list for the fall. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema gets the program under way at 11:30 a.m. next Wednesday at Mermaids Restaurant in Fayetteville.

I could let Stoerner preview the weekly speaking list for the TD Club. He knows most well in his role as analyst for the SEC Network. Many are his co-workers there or at ESPN. He gave Booger McFarland a plug for being the funniest guy over a plate of food.

Or I could let TD club top man Bo Mattingly tell you about Danny Sheridan, the oddsmaker who is not afraid to rate about anything. There is a bit of everything on the speaker list from ex-Razorbacks Tony Bua and Eddie Jackson, the latter now a full blown star on the Food Network.

But it's better to let Stoerner handicap the chances for the Razorbacks. He's watched practice several times in the spring. He attended the Wednesday morning workout before stepping to the microphone.

Stoerner called the Hogs a “middle of the pack” team in the SEC. But then, he added there is no middle of the pack like the SEC. It's what makes the conference great.

“I refuse to have a conversation with someone on college football if they can't first admit that the SEC is the best league,” he said. “The teams three through 10 in the SEC are as good as anyone. That's where Arkansas is and that is pretty good.”

Stoerner sees growth throughout the roster and is pumped about the season despite losses of key players like Brandon Allen, Alex Collins, Hunter Henry, Denver Kirkland and Sebastian Tretola.

“Those are good players, but the overall product is significantly better,” Stoerner said. “They will win because of the overall program.

“I think there are some other really good programs in the middle of the pack, too. But the Razorbacks are what I know best. I'm excited."

Stoerner said one of the reasons he is most excited is because of second-year offensive coordinator Dan Enos. Players know Enos' offense and Enos knows his players better than a year ago.

“Last year, you had 18 and 19 year olds learning a new language," Stoerner said. "We didn't talk about that enough. They should know all of the calls and react to them much better.

“I think there is depth and experience in a lot of places. And they have a great receiver group. Austin is going to have a much better corps of receivers than Brandon had when he broke in at quarterback. It makes a difference.

“It's huge when the receivers recognize the blitz before you see it as the quarterback, see the play clock with the quarterback and they react together. That's what Austin has that Brandon didn't.”

Stoerner was complimentary of Allen in a one-on-one interview after his speech to the crowd.

“If you see him throw, he is the the same as Brandon (Allen), or very close to it,” Stoerner said. “He throws it the same, he moves extremely well, like his brother. He's still got to see everything in a game. There is no substitute for that at quarterback.

“But he's got some things that are going to really help him from the leadership standpoint. He'll jump his teammates if they jump off sides, or don't get something right. He does that now. Brandon was more introverted and took longer to get to that point.

“I think he's got something to him. He's got that stuff flowing in his neck that helps you at that position. I think he'll take some risks. They had to coach him down a little, but that's good.”

Stoerner had a scouting report on true freshman Devwah Whaley, perhaps the next great running back for Bielema. Whaley hails from Beaumont, Texas, and one of Stoerner's best friends was close to him. Stoerner grew up nearby in Baytown.

“My buddy called me,” he said. “He said this kid is the real deal. He has the talent, but most importantly is that he gets it. He knows what to do and what not to do as far as taking care of his body, what to eat and how to get the right rest. He knows what it takes already.

“If he stays healthy, he's going to be a great one. He'll contribute a lot now. I think he'll be as good of a freshmen as anyone has.”

Stoerner has question marks, but it's not about the talent.

“I think there are things that have to be worked out,” he said. “Like who is going to replace Jeremy Sprinkle as that next tight end. Sprinkle will do things Hunter Henry did last year. But they need one guy to show that he can do everything, not be predictable so when you sub the defense knows what he can do.

“I think it's going to be Austin Cantrell, but he's got to keep coming and do it in games. I do think they are going to be fine on the offensive line. Bret has recruited people that look like him, big and strong. They have his kind of offensive linemen."

Stoerner said he doesn't worry about the defense. Perhaps the biggest concern, like most years, is the opposition.

“The only thing I will say is that it's a tough schedule," Stoerner said. "I question why they are playing TCU in week two. In the SEC, you don't need a game like that. TCU is probably going to be favored in every game except against Oklahoma.”