Petrino Can’t Help but Smile When Discussing Receiver Depth.
Bobby Petrino’s enthusiasm when discussing his offensive unit can instill optimism in anyone. As he talked about his group of lesser-known wide receivers, he couldn’t help but smile at the talent within the position.
While Andrew Armstrong, Tyrone Broden, and Isaiah Sategna often grab the spotlight, Petrino emphasized that the backups are also vital contributors. Arkansas has added several quality players through the transfer portal and recruiting this offseason, with a few impressing Petrino.
“Several players have really stood out,” Petrino remarked after Tuesday’s practice. “Monte [Harrison], our 29-year-old wide receiver, is a lot of fun. He’s a big, strong guy and connects well with our players. He played in Major League Baseball, and the first thing players do these days is Google someone. They see him making incredible catches, which gives him instant credibility. He practices hard, catches the ball well, and runs good routes. He’s definitely going to contribute significantly.”
Redshirt freshman Davion Dozier, who caught a touchdown on his first target in last year’s season opener from former backup Jacolby Criswell, has also been impressive in fall camp with some highlight-reel one-handed catches.
“[Davion] Dozier has done a great job,” Petrino noted. “He broke his arm in the spring and missed a lot of time in June, so it’s fantastic to have him back. He has a great physique, big hands, understands the game, and can make big plays for us.”
South Florida transfer Khafre Brown was a valuable addition from the portal this spring, contributing significantly to the Bulls’ revitalized offense under new coach Alex Golesh, where he caught 27 passes for 435 yards and five touchdowns last season. He is still getting acclimated to Arkansas’ offense.
“Khafre [Brown] is a really good player, but he has a lot to learn about the offense,” Petrino said. “He’s definitely going to stand out.”
As Petrino continued to discuss his receivers, he praised true freshman and Bentonville native C.J. Brown for his active performance in fall camp.
“Oh yeah, C.J. [Brown],” Petrino grinned. “He’s been making all kinds of plays. He has incredible talent—he can run, catch, and gain yards after the catch. He just needs to manage fatigue better. Sometimes, as you get older, you learn to handle it better. Once he can do that, he’ll be able to stay on the field more; right now, he struggles with fatigue because he’s not used to the concentration and intensity required at this level.”
Brown finished high school just shy of a 4-star ranking after catching 55 passes for 1,254 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior year, showcasing his ability to stretch the field with an average of nearly 23 yards per catch last season.
