The shrill sound of the alarm clock rousting them out of bed for early morning workouts signaled the end of high school and the start of college for freshman receivers Jarius Wright and Greg Childs.

Last summer the Warren High standouts could schedule workouts at their leisure. This summer they were on the University of Arkansas'schedule. From the moment they arrived on the Fayetteville campus, the lifestyle change was apparent.

" Getting up at 4: 30 [a.m. ] and having to start exercising at 5, you're done lifting at 7, " Wright said. " I never woke up that early and started lifting. It's just different. "

Warren coach Bo Hembree allows his seniors to set their own workout and practice schedule during the summer. That's not the case at Arkansas, where a rigid timetable leaves no room for deviation.

" You have no choice, " Childs said. " You're on schedule. You're on the clock. You have a certain time to be everywhere. If you're not there, you'll be punished. In high school we could do just about anything we wanted. Up here, we've got goals and priorities we've got to keep doing. "

The regimentation doesn't stop at the gridiron and weight room's edge. Its reach extends into the realms of academic and student life, with players never far from the coaches' watchful gaze.

" They know your classes and what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to be, " Wright said. " It's just different. "

The difference between high school and college is most evident on the field, where Wright and Childs'advantage in speed and athleticism isn't as profound. Due diligence must be paid to every route, even if they're not the primary receiver.

" You have to run every route full speed, " Wright said. " There's no taking plays off. When I was on the backside in high school, I wouldn't even run routes, but now you have to run routes because the quarterback is reading the whole field and he might throw it to you at any time. "

The ability gap has also shrank for fellow freshman wideout Joe Adams. The Central Arkansas Christian product doesn't wield the same mastery over opponents as he did in high school. Adams racked up 1, 512 yards from scrimmage and 25 total touchdowns last year against overmatched schoolboys. Fall camp has shown him that college defenders aren't as easily exploited.

" Ever ybody that's on the field is I guess a fivestar [recruit ] where they're from, " Adams said. " They're all athletes. That's the reason they're here playing football. The game is just quicker. "

All three freshmen have a chance to contribute to a passing game that lost its four leading receivers from last season. The opportunity to make an immediate impact weighed heavily on their decision to come to Arkansas.

" That was one of the reasons I came here, for early playing time, " said Wright, a fleet-footed burner who caught 58 passes for 1, 350 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior season at Warren. " I've been working hard since I got here, and it's really paying off. "

Wright said he never envisioned playing big-time college football at this time last year. Like the early morning workouts and inflexible schedule, Wright and Childs said playing in front of a big crowd will be a new experience.

" It will be a little nervewracking, since this is our first college game and we're young freshmen getting the chance to play, " Wright said. " At first it will be nervewracking, but after the game we'll get used to it. "