It’s been widely expected, and probably assumed, by most that Tyler Wilson would replace Ryan Mallett as Arkansas’ starting quarterback. That expectation/assumption is not just limited to the media or the fans, either, as Wilson’s teammates selected him as one of their offensive captains for the 2011 season.
At least for now, however, the coaching staff is not ready to anoint Wilson as Mallett’s official successor.
Head coach Bobby Petrino told reporters Tuesday that there is still an ongoing battle for the starting job between Wilson and Brandon Mitchell. And, no, there’s no specific timeline for the official naming of a starter.
Basically, when it happens, it happens.
“It will happen and take care of itself,” Petrino said in quotes relayed by Matt Jones of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “We need to get into more advanced parts of our offense and see more advanced parts of our defense. We need to see how they handle that and how they handle the speed, what it is they can do and what they can’t do.
“When it’s time to know, we’ll know.”
All we know is that he would be beyond a surprising development if Wilson weren’t under center when the Razorbacks open the 2011 season Sept. 3 against Missouri State.
