Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

8/8/2010 at 6:19pm

FAYETTEVILLE — Freshman defensive tackle LaCraig Brown has seen enough of Arkansas’ veteran practices on film and in person to draw a conclusion of what Monday morning will bring when newcomers are pitted with the team’s experienced players for the first time.

“You can really tell why you call them veterans,” Brown said. “There’s a high intensity to practice. They look real good out there.”

Practice is scheduled from 9-11:30 a.m. and the thought of combining practices for the first time elicited a range of responses from the Razorbacks’ first-year players. Monday also marks the first day in full pads for the team.

For the first four days the newcomers had the benefit of individual attention from the coaching staff. They got a tutorial on what to expect in terms of tempo and pacing, but now the action will ramp up soon.

Freshman wide receiver Maudrecus Humphrey planned to spend additional time studying the playbook when he got back to his room Sunday night. Humphrey is fighting for a spot at one of the deepest and most talented positions on the Arkansas roster.

Humphrey admitted to feeling some nerves going in to the combined practice.

“Yeah, just a little bit,” he said.

Fellow freshman wideout Marquel Wade was taking a little bit different approach. He said wasn’t nervous and felt like summer workouts with the upperclassmen would have him prepared.

When it was pointed out by a reporter that Wade hadn’t been on the receiving end of a hit from the team’s veterans, he still seemed unfazed.

“I don’t worry about hitting,” Wade said. “You’ve got to learn how to put your helmet on me.”

Coaches don’t want the new players backing down in practice. Many positions seem to be locked down by the team’s 17 returning offensive and defensive starters, but nothing is guaranteed.

“It’s the newcomers’ obligation to come beat guys out,” special teams coordinator John L. Smith said. “It’s our veterans’ obligation to not allow that to happen.”

FANTASTIC FOUR
Freshmen wide receivers Marquel Wade, Maudrecus Humphrey, Javonte Herndon and Julian Horton have dubbed themselves the 'Fantastic Four.'

Humphrey said the name originated with either Herndon or Horton. It’s as much a nod to becoming like the four receivers ahead of them — juniors Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and sophomore Cobi Hamilton — as it is a youthful boast.

'We'll live up to it,” Humphrey said. “We have to with that name.”

All four freshmen have had their moments. Wade, who has struggled with conditioning, had some noteworthy catches on Sunday, including that ended with a spin move to evade defenders.

MISCELLANEOUS
*Freshman tight end Garrett Uekman spent a portion of the newcomer’s practice working with linebackers. He stood out as the lone red jersey mixed in with the white defensive jerseys, but was back with the offense and catching passes during 11-on-11 work.

*Veteran wide receivers spent a portion of practice catching tennis balls shot at them by a machine. It’s a drill designed to help improving hands and catching ability.

*Freshmen defensive tackles LaCraig Brown and Jeremiah Jackson and end Chris Smith are big enough they could pass for veterans. They still have plenty to learn as evidenced by the scolding they got for putting their helmets down on the ground during practice. That’s a no-no for the Razorbacks.

*Smith said he wants to see improvement from his kickers and punters in terms of mechanics. So far he's pleased with the competition he's seen.

QUOTABLE

“I know I’ve got to work on it. Coaches don’t have to get on my head about it. I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to get on this field.”
—Freshman Marquel Wade on his conditioning

UP NEXT
Only one practice Monday as veterans and newcomers are combined for the first time. Practice is scheduled to run from 9-11:30 a.m.

Tagged: Fantastic Four, Arkansas Razorbacks, Bobby Petrino, John L. Smith