FAYETTEVILLE -- In some ways, Ty Storey's first practice with the Arkansas Razorbacks took him back to his junior high days.
Storey, a quarterback who led Charleston to a second consecutive Class 3A state championships two weeks ago, began practicing with Arkansas last Saturday as an early college enrollee.
It was his first time taking snaps under center after forming a huddle with his teammates, Storey said, since the seventh grade.
Taking Shotgun snaps in a no-huddle offense is what Storey has been accustomed to for five years.
"We never huddled in high school so that's something totally new to me," Storey said Monday. "But I thought we handled it pretty good and they welcomed me in with open arms.
"I was really thankful for that."
Storey said he's getting used to huddling up.
"I'm still working on it obviously," Storey said, "but I'm starting to get more comfortable."
Former Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson, a first-team All-SEC player in 2011, struggled with snaps under center when he first came to Arkansas from Greenwood's Shotgun system.
"He seemed to be all right with it later," Storey said with a smile.
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said Storey showed progress after his first day.
"Seeing the improvement in him from Day 1 to Day 2, it was pretty obvious that he's never really taken a snap under center," Bielema said. "So it was kind of neat just to see him evolve and do that and have some success."
Storey joined the Razorbacks eight days after ending his high school career in Charleston's 33-26 victory over Smackover Dec. 12 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
"It has definitely been a quick transition," he said. "My last test was Thursday and I was up here Saturday."
Early enrollees aren't allowed to accompany a team to a bowl site, but can take part in on-campus practices, which the Razorbacks will conduct through Christmas Day.
Storey said Arkansas football practice is much different from Charleston football practice.
"A lot faster pace, a lot more people around," Storey said.
Bielema said going through a few practices now before the spring can make a big difference for Storey.
"First, you get an understanding of how we do things," Bielema said. "From how we behave in our meetings to the way we take the field.
"Like when we start playing music, they know that means we go to flex. When we hear a certain horn blow, I don't have to say anything. They know that transitions into field goal."
Bielema said being in the meeting room with offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and the other quarterbacks will accelerate Storey's development.
"Hearing the terms, the phrases," Bielema said. "I remember growing up, we all had to learn things a couple of times before we got it right, and I think that's the same thing as a football player."
Offensive lineman Zach Rogers, another early enrollee for Arkansas who isn't able to practice as he continues to recover from a broken left ankle, said he has known Storey since both were high school freshmen attending football camps.
"He's a guy that likes to get his work done," Rogers said. "He just makes sure he's doing everything the right way. He's going to be a good deal for this program."
Storey completed 897 of 1,370 passes (65.5 percent) for 12,860 yards and 154 touchdowns with 30 interceptions in his 47-game career at Charleston. He rushed 357 times for 1,235 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Storey completed 294 of 447 passes for 4,159 yards for 53 yards and 7 interceptions as a senior and rushed 150 times for 724 yards and 20 touchdowns.
There have been no second thoughts by Storey about his decision to enroll early at Arkansas and bypassing his final semester at Charleston
"I definitely will miss the guys back home, some of my friends and family, but I don't think I could do it any other way," Storey said. "I was just ready to get here and move on with my career and try to make me a better football player, and I think this was the best opportunity for me."
Bielema said he noticed Storey putting his hands on his teammates shoulders when he first got into the huddle during practice.
"He just went in the huddle like he owned it." Bielema said. "That stuff is born in him. That was an innate quality he just walked in with and that's pretty fun to watch."
Storey said it was something he did instinctively.
"The guys here have welcomed me, and I just wanted to make sure they feel welcomed, too," Storey said.
There was some anxiety, Storey said, before his first practice with Arkansas.
"I was just trying to get out there and play football," he said. "I'm used to playing football, but not used to all the other stuff around me, the big locker rooms and all that stuff. Not used to that coming from little ol' Charleston.
"But as soon as I got out there, it seemed like a relief."
Sports on 12/23/2014