Smith feels Hogs are primed for 2012

FAYETTEVILLE — John L. Smith never took over a team more ready to play than the Arkansas Razorbacks he coaches now.

That covers four previous teams. From 1989 to 2006, Smith assumed the head football coaching reins at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Michigan State.

Throw in Weber State, with Smith arriving last December and then leaving in April for Arkansas, and it’s five.

None, Smith said, was more physically and mentally primed to play right away than these Razorbacks he met upon his arrival in April.

Of course, they aren’t as primed now as they were then, and to that Smith sighs, “Whew!”

After meeting with the team following his April 23 hiring, Smith knew the adrenaline rush of a team frenzied to forge on in the wake of Coach Bobby Petrino’s April 10 firing would run dry by September.

It had only been two days after the completion of spring practices when Smith was hired, yet his team seemed primed to play Alabama right then.

“You almost wanted it to cool off,” Smith said. “That excitement and energy and that kind of high, you would like to say, ‘Now, we have a long season. We have all summer to get through.’ ”

So as flattering as it was to see Razorbacks he knew as Arkansas’ special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach in 2009-2011 so fired up about his return, it was good see them level out. The team’s energy is still high, but it’s not over the top while grinding through the summer weight room work under strength coach Jason Veltkamp.

“Talking to Veltkamp and talking to our strength guys, they had a lot of energy in the weight room, a lot of excitement and kids holding each other accountable as far as their conditioning and being on time for their workouts,” Smith said. “The attitude has been great. The captains and seniors are taking control.”

Smith said academics for the completed first summer session “have been good” but the “proof will be in the pudding” with the UA’s second summer session that began Monday.

REPLACING A REPLACEMENT?

The ongoing limbo of suspended Razorbacks receivers Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey and tight end Andrew Peterson, who are awaiting their Aug. 27 trial on burglary charges, compels this staff to prepare a contingency replacement for Wade.

After last spring’s drills and his performance during the season, it appeared Wade would be the most likely candidate to step into the roles left by All-American punt returner/big-play receiver Joe Adams.

So look for incoming junior college transfer Demetrius Wilson, 6-3, 185 pounds, of Glendale (Ariz.) Community College to be scrutinized when preseason drills begin in August.

Wilson had 927 yards and 10 touchdowns on 51 catches last year at Glendale, plus 282 punt return yards and 1 touchdown.

“He should be able to pick it up and help us in the return game,” Coach John L. Smith said. “How quickly he picks up the offense, we will have to wait and see. And somebody in that freshman crew is going to have step up and help us.”