WATCH: Highlights from the Arkansas football team’s first practice of fall camp
The Arkansas football team began fall practice Wednesday afternoon. Here are highlights from the action, including a nice one-handed catch by Tyrone Broden.
FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman still can’t believe his luck with quarterback Taylen Green.
Pittman let offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino personally select his quarterback this offseason, and the former Razorbacks head coach quickly made Green his first choice. Green showed off his dual-threat skills in his two years at Boise State and had the mix of athleticism and size that Petrino covets in his quarterbacks.
Pittman was confident Arkansas was getting someone who could shine in the SEC, but he wasn’t aware of the impact Green’s intangibles could have on the Hogs’ program.
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“I knew he could throw the ball. I knew he was fast. I didn’t know the kid,” Pittman said Thursday after Arkansas’ first scrimmage of fall camp.
“To be honest, the child is more valuable than his athleticism.”
Pittman has made it clear that Arkansas had some leadership issues that contributed to last year’s 4-8 finish. The program seemed ready for a fresh start at the quarterback position, as Green chose Petrino and Pittman before KJ Jefferson announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.
Green’s leadership qualities start off the field. Pittman said he never complains and avoids the “vampire energy” that sucks the life out of a locker room. Green arrived on campus in January and immediately sought the respect of his teammates, from offseason workouts to fostering friendships throughout the squad.
The other players noticed, too. All-SEC defensive end Landon Jackson said Wednesday he had immediate respect for Green and tried to build a relationship with the signal-caller. To have a unified locker room, the respective leaders of offense and defense must show unity in their actions.
“He looks at things from a defensive perspective. So he comes to me and says, ‘Hey, get the offense rolling,’ and just says a few things and then it goes back and forth,” Green said.
Of course, the intangibles will only take Green and Arkansas so far. They have to perform on the field and maximize each other.
Thursday’s scrimmage was Green’s first opportunity this fall to show coaches and teammates his talents in a game-like setting. He completed several long passes to wide receiver Isaiah Sategna and found tight end Var’Keyes Gumms for another pass. Green threw a touchdown and ran for another.
Arkansas has yet to realize Green’s full potential. He can’t get hit in practice or scrimmages, which makes him a worse runner.
His ability as a runner is a big reason Green was Petrino’s first target, but as well as his leadership, Green surprises Pittman with his talent as a passer.
“He’s not a running quarterback. He can run. He’s a thrower, but he can run, and guys who have his athletic ability are often classified as a running quarterback,” Pittman said. “This guy is a quarterback that, when he breaks down, he’s going to go and hurt you.”
