FAYETTEVILLE — Brandon Allen headed straight from the classroom to the film room almost every Tuesday and Thursday morning last fall.
Then a redshirting freshman, the Arkansas quarterback and Fayetteville product made it a habit to take advantage of breaks between classes during his first semester in college.
He wanted to make sure it was time well spent. Time used to prepare for the future.
“Watching film was my main thing I did last year,” Allen said. “Because I really had no idea what the offense was. I was in my own playbook or in the meeting room as much as possible. I'm a lot more comfortable with the playbook and everything that happens now.”
Allen also traveled with the team to every road game last season despite being a redshirt.
He tried to take advantage of his time on the sidelines, especially at Alabama and LSU. In the back of his mind, he was thinking about when the Razorbacks would face the Crimson Tide and Tigers on the road again.
“I watched coverages,” Allen said. “If there was some sort of blitz coming, I'd make checks in my head, then see Tyler make checks on the field. It was a great experience gong to Alabama and LSU, being able to see the crowd, the noise level.
“You're sitting on the sidelines and you can tell what to expect the next time you get there.”
The Hogs don't play at Alabama and LSU again until 2013, but Allen is trying to position himself as the backup to senior All-Southeastern Conference starter Tyler Wilson this fall.
Allen entered spring practice listed second on the depth chart and split second-team reps with junior Brandon Mitchell. Now, Allen has an opportunity to win the backup job and position himself behind Wilson in fall practice.
“You're not in your redshirt year anymore,” Allen said. “So you've got to be ready at all times. Especially at quarterback. You've got to take charge right then. It's one play away and you've got to be ready for something like that.”
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Paul Petrino has worked with Allen since arriving in December for his second stint at Arkansas.
“I think Brandon (Allen) can be a great one, there's no doubt,” Petrino said. “He's got a great release. He's got good mechanics. He can make all the throws.”
Wilson didn't get an opportunity to redshirt his first year in Fayetteville, playing as a true freshman in 2008.
“You have to learn the offense as a freshman, but it's also learning how to go to class,” Wilson said. “It's learning to juggle everything it takes to be the best at your position. That's what he's starting to learn how to do and be pretty good about it.
“He's no doubt progressed as far as learning the offense, ability to comprehend a number of things.”
One of the things Allen is still working to improve on is his ability to audible based on the look the defense gives.
“I think the biggest thing for him is learning the offense,” Petrino said. “He also has to continue to learn what defenses do. He improved in spring ball. He already looks more comfortable in fall practice.
“One of his goals this week was to not miss any checks. He's a sharp kid. He'll pick it up. He knows the playbook, it's just getting to the checks.”
Allen is happy he's going through the learning process at Arkansas, playing for his hometown school and a program where his father, BobbyAllen, is entering his 15th season as an assistant.
Allen could have had his choice of colleges coming out of high school. He threw for 3,408 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior, ranking as the No. 5 pro-style quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com.
He shut down the recruiting process before his senior year, though, verbally committing to play for the Razorbacks less than a mile from his high school field.
“Growing up and just being a Razorback fan, I've always wanted to be a Razorback,” Allen said. “So when they offered me a scholarship, I was quick to jump on it.”
Allen hasn't made his first collegiate start or even taken his first collegiate snap in an Arkansas uniform. That doesn't mean he doesn't think about the moment.
“I'm ready to get out there,” Allen said. “I'm anxious. I'm waiting for my turn.”