Before these next four or five years elapse, bet on four Camden Fairview grads to make their mark on the University of Arkansas.

Bet on De’Anthony Curtis making it first.

When it comes to talent meeting opportunity, running back Curtis is the man of his time.

The timing isn’t as instantly ripe for defensive tackle Lavunce Askew, defensive end Brian Christopher and quarterback Jim Youngblood, but coach Bobby Petrino wants all of the Camden quartet doing more than biding time.

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Curtis ranks second team to senior r unning back Michael Smith and instantly filled the void left by Brandon Barnett, the junior from Texarkana, who closed spring drills second team but was idled last week to rehab from offseason knee surgery.

The Camden Fairview flash showed why he sits in the running backs’ second chair during the Razorbacks’ first preseason scrimmage.

After starting tailback Michael Smith exploding for 138 yards on just 5 carries, Curtis came next with 95 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries plus catching a touchdown pass.

The 5-10, 205-pounder is known for his speed.

“ I like being out in space, ” Curtis said on Arkansas’ Aug. 4 Media Day, “ because I think that’s the type of running back I am. ”

However in Sunday’s scrimmage Curtis displayed he can also be an every down power back.

“ I worked on don’t try to beat everybody with your speed, ” Curtis said. “ Work on your power game. ”

It showed.

“ He’s a guy that is built low to the ground, ” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said, “ and has very good footwork. I thought he made a lot of yards after the first contact. ”

At Camden, Youngblood handed off to Curtis’ power and speed time after time.

“ Everybody knows what he can do, ” Youngblood said. “ He’s a game-breaker. He can take the ball to the house any time. He’s going to be a very special player. ”

With the Razorbacks four-deep in quality ends and Christopher likely needing a year in the weightroom to bulk his 6-2, 245 frame, a redshirt year would seem to beckon.

Probably will, but defensive coordinator Willy Robinson doesn’t want Christopher or Askew thinking that way.

“ They have to take the approach that you are going to play and compete, ” Robinson said. “ That’s the only way they are going to get better. ”

Christopher understands. He says he’s not approaching this like a care free year just because it’s presumed odds are he’ll redshirt.

“ I think it’s a lot more pressure because if I want to play, I’ve got to compete that much more, ” Christopher said. “ It’s a competition for me to play against that many players as opposed to other cats. ”

Askew may have to play right away. The Hogs don’t sport the tackle depth like they have at end. And he’s already a physically mature 6-2, 290-pounder throwing his weight around.

“ The Askew kid has really come along, ” Willy Robinson said after several practices. “ Askew is starting to catch our eye a little bit. ”

Askew says he’s taking the coaches at their word.

“ My coach told me I have a shot at playing. ” Askew said. “ I believe that. I’m looking to play. I’m going to work my butt off and be the best that I can be. ”

Youngblood expects Askew in the Dline rotation.

“ I look for Lavunce to play early, ” Youngblood said. “ He’s putting on weight and adding strength. I feel like he’ll be able to go pretty soon. ”

Youngblood knows he and Christopher probably must have more patience even as they must approach every day like they’ll play right away.

“ Brian Christopher has got a lot of potential, ” Youngblood said. “ He’s going to put some weight on and is going to be a real big force on the defensive line. ”

And himself ? Well, there are six quarterbacks, headed by returning senior starter Casey Dick, in camp, and Youngblood is the least polished passer of them all.

But Youngblood by far runs the ball better than any of them.

“ If they want me to redshirt then I’ll have to go along with that decision, ” Youngblood said. “ But what I’d like to do is hopefully make an impact in the running game, hopefully complement Casey’s passing. Add another phase. ”