Petrino Names Wilson Starting Quarterback
Arkansas announced what seemed like the worst kept secret of preseason camp Thursday.
ARKANSAS NEWS- Junior Tyler Wilson will be its starting quarterback against Missouri State.
Coach Bobby Petrino said Wilson “deserves” the opportunity to lead Arkansas’ offense after competing for the position with sophomore Brandon Mitchell throughout the preseason.
“He’s prepared hard,” Petrino said. “He’s done a good job in practice. He’s done a good job working hard at his leadership.”
Wilson handled most of the first-team repetitions during preseason practices and has been the odds-on favorite to replace record-setting quarterback Ryan Mallett since the 2010 season ended. The reason: He was sharp in relief of Mallett in six games last season, completing 34 of 51 passes for 453 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Wilson was elected a team captain before preseason practice began and had been lauded by teammates for his leadership during the offseason. But the Razorbacks had not named a starter until Thursday, saying they wanted to evaluate every aspect of its two candidates.
Wilson, who was told the news after leaving the practice field Thursday night, said being the starter has been his goal “from day one.”
“You want to be a starter or you don’t come to school in the first place,” Wilson said. “Obviously I’ve been wanting this position for awhile and have been working toward it for awhile. I knew if I was patient and I waited my time I’d get my chance. And the day has come and I’ve got a good team around me.
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