FAYETTEVILLE — Joe Ferguson loves Tyler Wilson’s right arm.
He’s even more impressed by the Arkansas quarterback’s head.
“Tyler’s got a better arm than some guys in the NFL right now, but I think how he handles the mental part of the game is his greatest asset,” said Ferguson, who played quarterback for the Razorbacks 40 years before Wilson took over and then spent 18 seasons in the NFL. “His knowledge of what todo in this offense puts him a step above most everybody else in the country. He knows where the ball’s got to go.”
Ferguson discussed Wilson recently while taking a break from coaching at the Northwest Arkansas Passing Academy organized by former Arkansas quarterback Alex Mortensen. Former UA quarterbacks Clint Stoerner and Zak Clark also worked the camp, and Wilson spoke to campers during a brief appearance.
All of the former Razorbacks quarterbacks said they have been impressed with Wilson.
“In every sense of the word, Tyler’s a coach on the field, in the locker room, at practice,” Stoerner said. “Most guys can’t get away with that - getting on your teammates and still being someone that everybody loves and wants to be around - but he has that ability.
”When you can call the team up and say the things he says, and say it the way he says it and still be one of the guys, you’re special.”
Wilson, a fifth-year senior from Greenwood, completed 277 of 438 passes for 3,638 yards and 24 touchdowns with 6 interceptions in 2011 during his first season as a starter. He became the Razorbacks’ first All-SEC first-team quarterback after replacing Ryan Mallett, who in two seasons set Arkansas career records for passing yards (7,493) and touchdown passes (62).
“It’s tough to follow a guy like Mallett, but it obviously didn’t affect Tyler,” Clark said. “He just goes about his business in an impressive way and does what he has to do to get ready to play the game and get his team ready.
“He’s as good of a leader as I’ve watched from afar.”
Wilson, who will be an Arkansas team captain for the second consecutive year, seemed to take his leadership to a higher level last spring after the firing of Bobby Petrino, Arkansas’ coach, for off-the-field issues.
“I’m real proud of Tyler for how he’s handled this Petrino deal,” Ferguson said. “He could have come out and said some negative things, but he didn’t. He’s just come out and led the team, and everyone respects him for that.
“It’s a great advantage for a team that’s gone through some controversy to have a leader like Tyler at the quarterback position.”
Stoerner said it also was good for Wilson to develop as Mallett’s backup before taking over as the starter.
“Mallett was a guy with a big arm, and when he found man-to-man coverage, he was going to squeeze it in there,” Stoerner said. “Tyler is going to go through his progressions, and he’s not going to force the ball or make baddecisions.”
Wilson considered declaring for the NFL Draft after last season and received feedback that he’d be a first-round pick, but he chose to return to Arkansas. Even after Petrino’s firing, Wilson said he had no regrets about his draft decision.
“It’s a credit to him to come back and honor his football team that way and honor this state of Arkansas,” Ferguson said. “Hopefully, he’ll have a great season and be drafted even higher than he would have been after last year.”
Wilson figures to be high on most preseason Heisman Trophy watch lists.
“Arkansas is blessed with a great schedule this year,” said Ferguson, noting home games against Alabama and LSU. “Arkansas probably needs to win both of those games for Tyler to have a shot to win the Heisman, and if he’s able to help Arkansas beat Alabama and LSU in the same year, he’ll probably deserve it.”
Sports, Pages 19 on 07/12/2012