Hogs OG rewarded for effort

FAYETTEVILLE — Mitch Petrus walked on at Arkansas in 2005 as a tight end and linebacker, just hoping to one day earn a scholarship.

He’ll exit the university this winter as a first-team All-SEC offensive guard with a solid shot at an NFL career, having earned his scholarship and an agricultural business degree to boot.

“This year has really worked out in my favor,” said Petrus, a Carlisle native who has invitations to play in the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game.

“I received my degree, and I’m graduating. That’s a first priority. Then to be able to go out and play in a bowl game, that’s something every player wants.

“It’s like a double bonus.”

Petrus bounced around during his first couple of years at Arkansas, playing on special teams and getting snaps at fullback before settling on the offensive line. SEC coaches made a firstteam all-conference pick of Petrus, a top blocker on the nation’s No. 14-rated offense.

“I definitely played the best football of my entire life this year,” Petrus said. “I expanded my football IQ with my X’s and O’s.”

Petrus’ rugged play made him a favorite of Coach Bobby Petrino.

“He’s a guy that we relied on for toughness,” Petrino said. “We ran the ball behind him. We usually pass protected man-to-man almost all the time against the best inside defensive rush guy. He had a great season for us.”

Petrus made it through the season without allowing a sack, a feat that didn’t go unnoticed by Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett.

“Mitch is one of the most talented guys I’ve been around,” said Mallett, noting that he’d played with Jake Long, the Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl tackle and a former No. 1 overall pick out of Michigan.

Petrus’ commitment to studying video this season resulted in some late-night calls to Mallett with questions like: If the defense sends the middle linebacker on this play, what do we do in this protection scheme?

To which Mallett said he’d reply: “Ask me in the morning, because right now I have no idea what you’re talking about. That’s how good of a player he wants to be, and I think that’s how good of a player he is.”

Petrus overcame a significant personal setback to attain his status as a senior. After changing majors for the second time in 2008, all his hours didn’t transfer and he was ruled ineligible for the 2008 season.

The devastation he felt at the time has been replaced by understanding what he’s gained in the process.

“I wasn’t going to get to graduate before, because I would have taken my shot at the NFL,” Petrus said. “Plus, having a winning season and being on a really good team helps me with my possible career in the NFL.”

Arkansas offensive line coach Mike Summers said Petrus’ lost 2008 season was tough to get through.

“He showed his character and his courage and has persevered through that and really has attacked this season, I think, with a much more dedicated point of view,” Summers said.

“He’s just been ballin’,” junior offensive tackle DeMarcus Love said. “He dominates every game. There aren’t too many guys that can single block the three technique in this league, and he’s handled everybody.”

Petrus hasn’t only handled some of the SEC’s best interior linemen, he’s helped guide the Hogs’ younger offensive linemen.

“Ever since I first came up here, Mitch has always been a great leader,” junior tackle Ray Dominguez said. “Even in the Georgia game, when I had a pretty bad game as far as false starts, the first guy to pick me up was Mitch Petrus.

“He’s a great leader on the team, a great leader in the weight room, and a great leader off the field.”

Petrus has his focus on the Liberty Bowl, along with the rest of his teammates, but the NFL awaits.

“I think the scouts really like him, his strength and his ability to get out and run and the effort he plays with,” Petrino said. “He’s a good technician. I would be very, very surprised if he didn’t get drafted somewhere.”

Petrus acknowledges that a year on the sideline and a year on the field in Petrino’s offense has been critical in his development.

“It’s an NFL-style offense, and I’m more prepared now,” he said. “Things won’t be as much of a shock when I get to the NFL in terms of schemes and philosophies.”

Though a spot on an NFL roster seems within his reach, Petrus isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I keep my nose down,” he said. “I won’t let up until I sign my name on the dotted line.”

The same approach helped Petrus become a key player in the SEC, and soon he’ll see how it translates to the pro level.

Mitch Petrus glance CLASS Senior POSITION Offensive guard HOMETOWN Carlisle AGE 22 (May 11, 1987) HEIGHT 6-4 WEIGHT 315 pounds HONORS First-team All-SEC coaches team, second-team All-SEC Associated Press team (2009); second-team All-SEC coaches team (2007) NOTEWORTHY A tight end, fullback, linebacker and multi-sport star at Carlisle High, where he earned all-state honors. ... Played tight end and guard as a true freshman at Arkansas in 2005, then switched to fullback in 2006. ... Started 12 games at guard in 2007, when he graded out 96.3 percent for the year on pass plays. ... Sat out 2008 after changing majors. ... Razorback Honor Roll selection for the 2008-2009 academic year.