Razorbacks report

Rookies join vets bit early

University of Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson completed 14 of 15 passes during the skeleton session in Sunday’s practice. The full team took part in Sunday morning’s practice after the newcomers had been separated out earlier in the week.
University of Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson completed 14 of 15 passes during the skeleton session in Sunday’s practice. The full team took part in Sunday morning’s practice after the newcomers had been separated out earlier in the week.

— Arkansas Coach John L. Smith merged the Razorbacks’ newcomers with the veterans for Sunday morning’s practice one day before the team’s first full-pad workout.

“We did it a little earlier than we’d originally planned, and got the rookies incorporated, which I think was a good deal to get out here ... before we pad up completely,” Smith said.

The newcomers, who had been getting plenty of snaps in their smaller practices, had to take more mental reps with the full 105-man roster in action.

“It was way faster than yesterday,” freshman receiver Keon Hatcher said.

“I mean, this is the SEC. ... We come from high school, so we’re playing fast, but when you move from high school to a top SEC team, it’s going like ... blazing speed.”

Said freshman receiver D’Arthur Cowan: “With the freshmen, you get more reps, but with the older guys, you get to see what they’re actually doing, and you get the spotting from the older guys, who help us out.”

Rookie defenders Will Hines and Deatrich Wise said there was a lot of learning for the younger players.

“It was a tad bit faster, more physical,” Wise said.

“During the run plays, their first steps are much faster than the rookie practices, so I’ve got to get used to that.” Skeleton success

Quarterback Tyler Wilson completed 14 of 15passes during back-to-back skeleton sessions, including four throws to Chris Gragg and three to Demetrius Dean. Wilson’s lone incomplete pass was a deep ball that was just out of the reach of Julian Horton.

Redshirt freshman Brandon Allen went 11 of 18 in the same drill, even with drops by Dennis Johnson, Austin Tate and Alex Cacciarelli.

Injury update

Senior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith missed Sunday’s work with a hamstring injury after a painful fall Saturday night.

Terrell Williams and true freshman Otha Peters took the bulk of first-team reps in his absence.

“Losing Highsmith for a day or so, whenever it’s going to be ... it’s good for those other guys to step up and take those reps,” Coach John L. Smith said.

Safety Eric Bennett (hamstring) missed another day of team periods, allowing redshirt freshman Rohan Gaines to take first team snaps opposite Jerry Mitchell with Ross Rasner playing “star.” Bennett did boxing work and threw a medicine ball with strength and conditioning assistant John Durmon.

Fullback Morgan Linton, who practiced at less than full speed on Saturday, and tight end Brett Weir, who appeared to have a heat related issue on Saturday, missed the Sunday work.

Diving man

Brandon Mitchell continued his string of practices with diving catches with another laid out grab Sunday, this time from Brandon Allen.

Mitchell had a negative play on the second snap of a team period when he caught a pass and was quickly stripped by safety Ross Rasner, who also made the recovery.

Hands people

Senior wideout Cobi Hamilton appeared to shove off cornerback Tevin Mitchel, who fell on the play, to grab a long distance pass from Tyler Wilson on the first snap of the team periods.

Junior-college transfer Demetrius Wilson made his most impressive catch of camp, going vertical with Davyon McKinney and Alan Turner in coverage to snare a deep ball from Brandon Allen.

“You rewarded him; he’ll try you again!” receivers coach Kris Cinkovich shouted to Wilson as he ran back to the huddle.

Defensive gems

Tenarius Wright jumped to break up, and nearly intercept, a Tyler Wilson throw over the middle during a team period.

Linebacker A.J. Turner dropped into coverage and intercepted a medium depth out route from Brian Buehner. Turner had a couple of strips on Friday.

Defensive tackle Darius Philon posted a “sack” of Buehner.

Cornerback Will Hines stripped a reception away from tight end Austin Tate and Braylon Mitchell recovered.

Up next

The Razorbacks have their first full-pad workout today, a single session slated to start at 6 p.m.

at the Intramural fields.

All practices through Thursday this week are at 6 p.m., while Friday’s single session is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Sports, Pages 20 on 08/06/2012

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