Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a ninepart series previewing the 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks, position by position.

Going into the Arkansas Razorbacks’ preseason football camp, Casey Dick is the unquestioned and nearly unchallenged starter at quarterback.

Though the senior from Allen, Texas, ended the past three seasons as the Hogs’ starter, he’s never been more comfortable or confident in his role with the Razorbacks than under firstyear head coach Bobby Petrino and his latest quarterback coach Garrick McGee.

Casey Dick was the clear cut leader from Day 1 through Day 15 in spring practices. The experience he gained as a “ bus driver” for three seasons in Houston Nutt’s offense gave him an undeniable advantage against challengers redshirting sophomore Michigan transfer Ryan Mallet (6-6, 255 ) of Texarkana, junior Alex Mortensen (6-2, 220 ) of Fairburn, Ga., and his younger brother redshirt freshman Nathan Dick (6-4, 217 ) of Allen, Texas.

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While Petrino’s Power Spread offense will be a radical change for the Razorbacks, in many ways Dick felt more comfortable operating it than Nutt’s base I formation. Dick operated from a Spread offense in high school, and while he never complained about his role in Nutt’s offense, he feels like a quarterback coming out of spring practice rather than a thirddown janitor sent in to clean up a mess. “ We did what we needed to do to win, ” said senior offensive guard Mitch Petrus. “ We had to give the ball to [Darren ] McFadden and [Felix ] Jones. They were first-rounders all the way. “ But Casey got put into some tough situations. Coming in cold on third-and-long and being expected to pick up a first down when the Wildhog didn’t work. Everybody in the stadium would know what was coming. Pretty easy to defend. “ Coach P’s offense is truly balanced. The defense doesn’t know what’s coming, and our quarterback is a quarterback. ” Dick admitted Petrino’s playbook is thick and challenging, but it has a rhyme and a reason to it. Nothing just comes out of the blue. “ It gives a quarterback a natural progression and options, ” Dick said. “ If we all do our jobs, there should be a play there to be had by one of our receivers. It might be a long ball or it might be dumping off to a back, but you’re rarely ever stuck. It’s really about getting into a rhythm. ”

With the options, Dick showed more confidence in the pocket during the spring in directing the first-team offense against the first-team defense on a daily basis. “ Going good on good is the only way to really get better, ” Dick said. “ We like to say ‘ iron sharpens iron’ around here now. ” Following the Red-White scrimmage, Petrino said the offense was coming together with Dick under center. “ Casey looked as in sync as he has all spring, ” Petrino said. “ His footwork was better. His timing. He understood coverages and distributed the ball. There were certain times I felt, ‘ Hey, we know what we are doing because the timing of the receiver and the quarterback and the protection were all in line together. ’ ”

Arkansas quarterback coach Garrick McGee said the goal of him and Petrino is to turn Arkansas into “ Quarterback U, ” and before injuring his thumb, Mallet looked the part, towering over Arkansas ’ skilled players and throwing with uncommon velocity.

But his ability came in a raw package that did not have time to develop with less than a week’s worth of practices under his belt. But his potential is promising and bodes well for the UA’s future after he completes his mandatory redshirt year.

In the battle for the No. 2 spot, Nathan Dick pulled ahead of Mortensen in the last seven practices because of his stronger arm and an improved grasp of the offense.

“ He’s really improved technique-wise, ” Paul Petrino said. “ He’s getting the ball out of his hands quicker, and he’s throwing it accurate. He’s just got to continue to understand the offense and get in there and call plays. ”

However, the pecking order is not safe come August. Freshmen Tyler Wilson (6-3, 186 ) of Greenwood and Jim Youngblood (6-2, 217 ) of Camden Fairview will be thrown into the fray.

Petrino is not afraid to play freshmen and has put all on notice that the best will play at each position, regardless of the situation.

“ I think the first thing you notice about Tyler is his history of winning, ” Petrino said of Wilson, who led Greenwood to three state titles, in February. “ He’s a young man that goes out on the field and knows how to win a big football game. “ He’s been in some shootouts in his careers and really throws the ball well. He’s a pure thrower, very accurate with very good technique. He’s been very well coached and we’re really happy to have him with us. ” Likewise, Petrino admires the talents that Youngblood brings with him to Fayetteville. “ Jim is a guy that is a tremendous competitor, ” Petrino said in February. “ He’s a very good runner with the football. When you see him you get excited because he can make plays when things break down and can bail a coach out. “ Usually when you do that you throw for a high percentage because a lot of the times your No. 1 and No. 2 aren’t there. He has the ability to take off and run or throw the ball very well. He’s a great leader. That’s one thing he’s impressed me with is his leadership ability. ”