Arkansas coach Bret Bielema kicked Arkansas Media Day off with a 1:45 press conference in the Fred W. Smith Center.
"Last three days have been awesome," Bielema said. "Just a lot of really positive things. Through three days we've stayed relatively injury-free."
"Last three days have been awesome," Bielema said. "Just a lot of really positive things. Through three days we've stayed relatively injury-free."
- 17 guys had all As in the summer out of the 62 who were in summer school
- All seniors except for two have 12 hours or less left to graduate.
- Bielema said they were really lax on ball security the first day, so they came back and really focused on that the next day.
- They have been focusing on little things like straining to block just a little longer and on defense to strain a little more to get through a double-team. That's something that has shown up on film that they'll put extra emphasis on during Monday's practice.
- Last night the only Ke'tyrus Marks and Juan Day are the only two scholarship players who are not with the 105 during camp. Both are in good standing. This was the hardest camp roster he has had to make.
- Kevin Richardson has been officially placed on scholarship. Bielema said he's in the two-deep at three different spots, and he just announced that. Bielema said he hopes one day that Richardson will be a coach under him.
- Bielema said they had the fewest players in the critical weight loss area after practice on Saturday than any other day. They had more gear on and it was hotter than any other day. That is a testiment to the players listening to the coaches about taking care of their bodies and preparing for practice.
- Bielema said at fullback a player who has really jumped out is Austin Cantrell. He has a unique ability to do a lot of things, Bielema said. They need him to learn to move his feet on contact because in high school he just hit people and they went down.
- Bielema said walk-on Johnny Gibson is in the two-deep, and it's not a joke. He said he's for real. The most consistent player on the offensive line through three practices has been Frank Ragnow. He said Ragnow is going to be special. Bielema also had positive comments for all his starters. He said Dan Skipper is up to 338 but lost 11 pounds in practice Saturday.
- For Brandon Allen to take the next step, he's got to be big in big moments.
- Bielema said he's been very impressed with Dominique Reed. He got an A and a B in his two summer classes and the academic people say he arrives early and stays late. Reed broad jumped 11'4" and three weeks later he did 11'11", which is three inches short of the combine record.
- Brooks Ellis really had a good practice Saturday. He's also been pleased with his other two starters. Bielema said he's blown away with Dre Greenlaw. He was the best guy on the field in their kickoff drill. He has gone from 218 to 229 since arriving.
- Bielema said Brandon and Austin Allen are two very different players. Austin has really trimmed down and changed his body. Bielema said one day he came in on a Saturday and Austin was working out doing a very intense training method when nobody was there. He's added 10 yards to his deep ball.
- With Hjalte Froholdt, Bielema said he would hire him as a coach in a heartbeat. He has a great personality and has yet to get any grade other than an A. He currently is working at nose guard but can play both interior.
- D.J. Dean has always had a lot of charisma and attitude. The first year as a freshman he struggled with some stuff. He snapped into playing Texas. He and Jared Collins have by far been their best two corners, but they have two totally different personalities.
- Consistency and Strain were at first confused by at least one player as two more 'edges,' but Bielema pointed out that it still falls in the five edges because both fall under rule No. 1 - mental and physical toughness.
- Bielema said their leaders on defense were more showers than yellers - except Darius Philon, but nobody could understand what he said anyway...
- Regarding Alex Collins, Bielema said he first met him when he was 14 years old. Bielema said the only person who limits Alex is Alex. He said he's had to yell at Collins, and it hurts him to do that, but sometimes that's what gets through to him.
- Regarding going from two bye weeks to one, Bielema said it absolutely changes things. For Arkansas this year, mathematically it can't get any better, he said. He said it makes his heart smile that Auburn comes after that bye week.
- Bielema said he felt really good his fifth year at Wisconsin in terms of getting this rolling, though he said they hit the injury bug his last year there. Bielema said he believes in what he believes in and can only be himslf.
- With Jonathan Williams, Bielema said he looks as good as he's seen a back look. He'd like to see Williams get something special for his return. Kody Walker is 260 pounds. Denzell Evans showed some nice things, and freshman Rawleigh Williams has caught a lot of attention. He said they call him the Shadow, because where ever Jonathan is, Rawleigh is right behind him. Bielema said sometimes Jonathan swats at Rawleigh to get away from him.
