Fayetteville–The Hog football team was back on the practice field Tuesday afternoon after taking a week off for spring break. This time the players were in full pads but offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said there was no all out tackling during the working.
“It was more like a thump than all out hitting,” Petrino told reporters of the contact that did occur in the practice.
Friday's first scrimmage of the spring will be open to the public and will feature full scale tackling. However Petrino says a decision has not been made as to whether running back Knile Davis will participate. Davis is fully recovered from a broken ankle suffered last August. That injury knocked him out of the 2011 season.
Petrino did note that Davis continues to look very fast in the workouts.
Following Tuesday's practice quarterback Tyler Wilson was asked if there had been any dropoff following the spring break layoff.
"I thought today was a very crisp practice," Wilson responded "In my mind, no way. I think we made a step forward today and that's what we've got to continue to do is continue taking those big strides and getting better each and every day in order to have a successful winning team."
Both Wilson and Petrino complimented freshman tight end Demetrius Dean who signed with the Razorbacks in 2011 but did not join the team until January of 2012 because of issues with high school transcript.
Petrino noted that Dean has great hands and runs precise routes but at 260 pounds he needs to develop better stamina.
Wilson said Dean surprised him with the way he has reponded this spring after missing a full year of football.
Spring football continues Wednesday afternoon with a closed practice at Razorback Stadium.
