FAYETTEVILLE — Jared Cornelius made it a point to have a conversation with sophomore La’Michael Pettway after the first week of Arkansas’ spring practice.
Cornelius, the Razorbacks’ only returning receiver with meaningful game experience, had a few sentiments he wanted to get across to one of the younger receivers on the roster.
“Why wait? Why just play the slot position when you can play all 3 positions? Why just learn 1 when you can learn all 3 of them?” Cornelius recounted.
Pettway listened. And he has by all accounts been a different player this spring, even dating back before the conversation. The graduation of a trio of receivers who combined for 125 catches a year ago has injected a sense of urgency into a young group of wideouts who suddenly have the opportunity to get on the field and make a real impact.
“It was now or never for me,” Pettway said. “I feel like I had to take a big step and I feel like I’ve taken that step.”
At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, Pettway is one of the more physically talented receivers on the roster. His combination of size, athleticism and hands make him a potentially touch matchup for defenses.
He recorded just 1 catch for 10 yards as a redshirt freshman last season, a touchdown pass hauled in against FCS foe Alcorn State. He had seniors ahead of him, to be sure. But he also needed to improve his approach to the game heading into his third year on campus, something he’s worked hard at this spring.
“La’Michael has obviously always had physical tools,” coach Bret Bielema said. “It’s just the mental side of it, I think he had to get some stuff right off the field and I think he’s done that.”
“La’Michael has looked like a different player this spring for us, just his maturity level, his route-running and catching,” quarterback Austin Allen said.
That goes back to Cornelius’ message to Pettway, who’s always possessed the physical tools to be a contributor. But learning the playbook and working hard with consistency are equally important factors. So he's drawn from the practice habits of graduated receiver Keon Hatcher. He's watched extra film, some dating back to practices 2 years ago.
“I feel like (I’m) a lot better, because I know what we’re trying to do,” Pettway said. “I know the scheme. I’m getting the plays. The mental side is coming.”
Pettway is one of a handful of young receivers competing for playing time. Fellow sophomore Deon Stewart holds a starting role next to Cornelius. Junior college transfers Brandon Martin and Jonathan Nance are in the mix and each bring different talents to the table.
Redshirt freshman Jordan Jones was perhaps the star of the spring’s first scrimmage, hauling in 4 passes for 99 yards, including a 63-yard score. His speed and skill set give him a chance to be a difference maker in the fall.
But Pettway was ahead of Jones, at least heading into Saturday. While Jones worked entirely with the second team, Pettway was the third receiver onto the field with the first-team offense, joining the huddle alongside Cornelius and Stewart when the Hogs went to a 3-wide look.
Jones’ big day Saturday was hard to ignore. Martin is the biggest receiver on the team, a potential difference-maker as he adjusts to Division I ball. But Pettway is in the mix, too, in what has been an energetic spring practice for a young position group.
“Every day is a competitive day for the receivers,” Pettway said. “I feel like we’re all good from a physical aspect so we’re all pushing each other. One person makes a play, (then) another person makes a play.”