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Time To Shine

August 25, 2008 by TipsterHog 

Sometimes when a high school recruit is interviewed by a sportswriter, they’ll say something that makes you say to yourself, ‘Yeah…right…whatever.’

Usually, it’s when a ’super prep’ says something like, “I want to make an impact my freshman year” or “I want to show that I can play on both sides of the ball in college.”

Sure buddy…okay.

But last summer, Warren high school star Jarius Wright basically said just that:

He [Wright] wants to play offense and defense — and special teams — for the Razorbacks.

“They want me as an athlete, not just as a receiver,” Wright said. “I would like to do them all.  I want to prove I can do them.  I want to play as much at each position as I can.”

And now a year later, Wright is getting ready to back those words up.

Not that he will be playing for the Hogs on defense.  (Although coaches did give him a tryout during fall camp.)  But it now appears that the freshman will start the season playing regularly on both offense (wide receiver) and special teams (first-team kickoff and punt returner).

Warren coach Bo Hembree has said Wright, who runs a 4.34 40-yard dash, is “the fastest kid I’ve ever coached.”  And Bobby Petrino singled him out after the Hogs’ first sweltering practice of fall camp:

“Jarius Wright stood out to me.  He’s very fast, very quick.  And he’s tough.  [The heat] didn’t bother him at all.”  Told of Petrino’s remark, Wright said, “It makes me feel good just knowing he has a little faith in me.  I kind of enjoy that.  It makes we want to come out and work a little harder tomorrow.”

No doubt…Wright will most certainly make his share of rookie mistakes this season.  And in the SEC, there are few who truly make an impact during their first year in the league.

But in a freshman class that appears to be stocked with ’star power,’ Jarius Wright will be the first to have a chance to shine come Saturday night.  (Literally, in fact, if he receives the opening kickoff.)

And based on what we’ve read and seen for ourselves at practice, Wright looks to have the drive and talent to someday become a major star for the Razorbacks.

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Comments

10 Responses to “Time To Shine”

  1. Ward Hog on August 25th, 2008 9:25 am

    Wooooooooooooo.. PIG Sooooie!!! Football is finally back!!! GO HOGS GO…… Your site is still the best out there for Hog information. I still visit it daily!!! Keep it up!!! Now, let’s play some ball!!!

  2. GonzoHog on August 25th, 2008 10:10 am

    On rare occasions, a true Freshman will step to the for-front. It happened 3 years ago, with both D-Mac and Felix at the RB spots, and KR man. I see no reason why Jarius wouldn’t be able to do the same things at WR and PR man. There’s a reason why he’s jumped right in there as a Fresh. He’s very talented, and simply the best at what he does on this football team. Petrino is no dummy. He wouldn’t put a Freshman in that position if he didn’t think it was his best option. Godd luck Jarius! GO HOGS GO BABY!!!!!

  3. LA Hog on August 25th, 2008 11:47 am

    I like his attitude, he wants to be the man and from the reports of practice his preparation isn’t like a freshman. No doubt he will make an impact this season. Offensively this team is going to be fun to watch. Go Hogs Go!

  4. HogBloggerJr on August 25th, 2008 12:09 pm

    What’s this I see? A coach showing ZERO loyalty to upperclassmen and playing the player who most proved himself in practice. This is a paramount idea, I hope some other coaches don’t catch on….

  5. Goodbye Raycom/JP/LF Trough « Hawg Blawg on August 25th, 2008 5:07 pm

    [...] ESPNU. Bobby Petrino has a photographic memory. Marcus Monk was waived from the Bears. Freshman WR Jarius Wright is shining. ESPN looks at TE D.J. Williams. War Memorial Stadium plans for it’s 60th [...]

  6. LA Hog on August 25th, 2008 6:52 pm

    HogBlogger Jr, what a difference a year makes. Yes let’s put the best 22 guys on the field, he doesn’t care if they are walk ons. I love it. Hey it is a common theme in college football. I believe their will be more freshman impacting games this year than ever. Gone or the days when guys sat their first year, played sparingly in the second and hopefully returned for two solid years. Now it’s come to my school and if you are good enough you will play from day one. That is how old Pete Carroll gets all of these players.

  7. OwassoHog on August 25th, 2008 10:55 pm

    Just wondering when I’ll get my first t-shirt this year… RazorBloggers will be having the contest again - RIGHT! ;-)

  8. Ward Hog on August 26th, 2008 7:37 am

    That’s right… the TWO that I won last year are a little faded. hehehe

  9. GonzoHog on August 26th, 2008 11:25 am

    I was checking out the Hogs depth chart, and I see 14 True Fresh. on the chart, and even that is a little decieving to how young this team will be, because it doesn’t even list De’Anthoney Curtis, who is presently injured, or the 6 RS Freshmen who are listed in the rotation. That’s 21 total first year players!! WOW!!

  10. HogHead on August 29th, 2008 2:26 pm

    We will more than likely have a four headed freshman monster this year with
    J. Wright, J. Adams, D. Curtis & D. Johnson. It’s going to be fun watching these young men develope their skills in Petrinos offense over the next few years.