Arkansas Razorbacks Top Prospects for 2012 and Beyond
Arkansas Razorbacks fan and NFL Mocks reader Andrew Vincent offered his opinions and some quick scouting reports on players from the Razorbacks who could make an impact at the NFL level, possibly as soon as the 2012 season. Arkansas put two big name players in the NFL this past draft in QB Ryan Mallett (Patriots) and TE D.J. Williams (Packers) who could feasibly see each other in the Super Bowl by year’s end.
This is a team that is expected to finish in the top ten according to many different polls, so it’s no coincidence that they have an infusion of NFL talent. Along with Andrew’s analysis, I will also add my own personal commentary on the players.
#7 Knile Davis, Running Back, Junior. 6’1″ 230 4.29
Davis was injured during fall camp 2010 & didn’t take over the starting job until game 5. Still Davis led SEC in rushing with 1,322 yards 6.5 per carry. Davis made the most improvement physically of any razorbacks adding 10 pounds to his frame, running an unnofficial 4.29 in the 40, and bench pressing 415. Davis is big, strong, and shifty. Biggest flaws are consistency to stay healthy. Also, especially in practice, Davis has trouble holding on to the football.
To me, that scouting report sounds a lot like Darren McFadden or Adrian Peterson. Davis has the absolute ideal size for an NFL running back, and clearly has the requisite speed. Leading the SEC in rushing is not an easy thing to do, especially when your team passes as much as Arkansas did with Ryan Mallett under center. This is a guy who could be a lock first round pick should he stay healthy all season long.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/482676/knile-davis
#3 Joe Adams, Wide Reciever, Senior 5’11 190 4.30
Sources close to Adams say he was close to making a decision to leave for the NFL before a disasterous Sugar Bowl performance in which Joe dropped 6 passes, 3 of which would have been touchdowns. Even with 6 drops Adams still had 9 receptions for 120 yards & a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl. Adams is the most explosive player on the Razorback roster, maybe in the country. Adams is build from the Percy Harvin mold. He is used primarly as a wide reciever but has lined up at running back and is used on bubble and tunnel screens. Adams YAC is among the best as is his speed and explosivenes.. However his hands have been a concern since he was a freshman.
Who could forget the infamous Sugar Bowl? It appeared the Razorbacks were well on their way to absolutely crushing the Ohio State Buckeyes, but three dropped TD passes absolutely killed any chance of that happening. This is a guy who needs to come out in 2011 with a chip on his shoulder. The size and speed are all there, and obviously the playmaking skills are as well. I would love to see him have a huge rebound year, and prove that his issue of dropping passes is behind him, because that WILL decrease his NFL stock.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/382617/joe-adams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-16ICr9xPQ
#4 Jarius Wright, Wide Reciever, Senior 5’10 180 4.27
Wright may the least known of the great WR corps at Arkansas but he just may be the best. Wright quietly caught 42 passes for 788 yards and five touchdowns. Wright is the best route runner on the team and very sure handed. During the spring Wright also timed the fastest 40 yard dash time of the razorbacks, 4.27. Wright doesn’t have ideal size for the NFL, but with the onslaught of successful smaller recievers lately Wright might be worth a look. Wright is also very well spoken, has the same type of like-ability that DJ Williams has.
Jarius Wright will be an interesting story to watch this year. How will all of these supremely talented receivers respond to losing star QB Ryan Mallett? Well, if the scouting report Andrew provided is accurate, then this guy could be a very successful NFL player. He will need to prove that he can contribute on special teams in some way, but if he is a good route runner and sure-handed, there is a spot for him in the NFL, especially with that speed. It sounds as though he is in the mold of an Eddie Royal type, both on the field and off in terms of character.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/382643/jarius-wright
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXynHdSGXpc
#85 Greg Childs, Wide Reciever, Senior 6’3 217 4.48
Childs, the best of the stacked recieving corps, was a sure first round draft choice in 2010. Big, fast, physical mis-match that tore through all his competion this season. However during the 8th game of the season, Childs suffered a season ended ACL tear. Childs had a number of impressive highlights this season, often drawing double teams. Childs is a good jump ball player, across the middle player, or seam route player. The only thing that childs doesn’t do as well as the other recievers is run crisp routes.
Childs is the most physically impressive receiver of this group, and likely could be a first or second round pick when his time comes. However, as was noted, the ACL injury is going to need to be proven 100 percent healthy, and we will need to see an improvement in the route running skills, especially in a pass heavy offense. In the NFL, you need to be more than just a “go get it” receiver, and Childs certainly has the capability.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSoSuI0ByPI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaSqnrKRrfQ
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/382621/greg-childs
#33 Dennis Johnson, Running Back/Kick Returner. Senior 5’9 213 4.43
I’m sure you guys at NFLmocks have heard of all 4 previous prospects, but the guy you might not have heard of is Dennis Johnson. Dennis was starting running back (over Knile Davis) before rupturing his splein (freak accident) in game 2. This guy is fast, short, and stocky. . . From the Maurice Jones-Drew mold. Dennis led the country in kick-off returns in 2009 and is the owner of some of the most impressive runs I have personally ever seen. Very hard to bring to the ground, very strong, and still pretty fast. Dennis needs to work on his Pass-Blocking skills, that is what has kept him off the field under Petrino. I encourage you, if you don’t watch any other of these youtube video’s, to check out this one on Dennis. It is very impressive, particularly the last run on the video.
I’m interested to see how he responds to being the full time backup for a full season. How unfortunate for him to lose his job to a ruptured spleen. The SEC has always produced solid RB’s, and this guy could be no different. Arkansas has put three top of the line RB’s to the NFL in one year, so there’s no reason they can’t put out two this year (McFadden, F. Jones, P. Hillis).
http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/382633/dennis-johnson
Article confirming 40 times:
http://blogs.nwaonline.com/slophouse/2011/03/09/faster-healthier-hogs-ready-for-spring/
Post Spring Roster:
http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=205116547
Thanks again to Andrew for the help! If you want to submit a list of your favorite team’s NFL prospects for 2012, send me an e-mail at sayre111589@gmail.com, or shoot me a message on Twitter @SayreBedinger or @NFLMocks